Growing up in a medical family, Dr. Wortzel never feared his dental visits. Only after becoming a dentist did he realize the vast number of people, and children in particular, who were genuinely afraid of going to the dentist. Compelled to intervene and help alleviate this unnecessary anxiety, Dr. Wortzel took on this unique music video project as a labor of love.

Dr. Wortzel discovered the power of puppetry when his young daughters became mesmerized when they watched as he and puppeteer, Rob Gardner, the long-time understudy for Sesame Street’s ‘Big Bird,’ collaborated and developed the preliminary concept, which eventually became A Trip to the Dentist Can Be Lots of Fun.

Before long, Dr. Wortzel was taking his guitar and puppets to local schools and bookstores to reach out to area children. Dr. Wortzel knew he was on to something when the children left for home humming and singing his toe-tapping tunes, with lyrics like “I must brush my teeth, I must brush my teeth.” With the help of director, Patrick Ford, it became evident that communicating through puppetry remains a tremendously effective way to teach and persuade.

A graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Dr. Wortzel continues to further his education by attending courses at the prestigious Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida. Dr. Wortzel specializes in adult restorative dentistry at his family practice in Mountainside ,NJ. He strongly believes that with proper care, one’s teeth can last a lifetime in comfort, health and beauty.