Dr. Needleman completed his undergraduate education at Rutgers University, NJ magna cum laude. He was awarded his D.M.D. from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston cum laude where he received the Nesbett Award for Excellence in Clinical Dentistry and Gold Medal for Scholastic Excellence upon graduation. He received his training in pediatric dentistry at the Children's Hospital/Harvard residency program where he was chief resident and was awarded the Sidney Farber House Officer Award.
He is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Senior Associate at Children's Hospital Boston and Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the Harvard School of Dentistry. Dr. Needleman is an active researcher and lecturer. He has published over 50 articles in the field of pediatric dentistry and has authored many chapters in and been editor of numerous medical and dental textbooks. He has received many awards since graduation some of which include the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, the Pierre Fauchard Academy Award for Outstanding Dentist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1995, and the Allard Award for outstanding service to the cause of preventing abuse and neglect from the Massachusetts Dental Society.
Dr. Needleman is currently a local and national Spokesperson for the American Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Society. In addition, he is an expert witness for the Department of Health, Division of Health Professions Licensure/Board of Registration of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as for many civil and criminal law suits involving negligent dental care to children.