Dr. Thomas Connolly received his dental training at Columbia’s School of Dental and Oral Surgery in New York. At graduation, he received numerous scholastic awards in Periodontics, Oral Surgery, Operative Dentistry, Endodontics and General Dentistry. He then completed a general practice residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Bronx Municipal Hospital Center. After which, he returned to Columbia for his residency in Periodontics, receiving his Certificate in Periodontics.

At Columbia, Dr. Connolly received training in non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy. He has extensive experience in all aspects of implant dentistry, soft tissue grafting and periodontal microsurgery. Dr. Connolly maintains a full-time private practice in periodontics and implant therapy here in Manhattan with his daughter, Dr. Julie Connolly, while still being involved in academics. From 1980-1988, he was a clinical instructor in periodontics at Columbia receiving a faculty award with induction into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Currently, he is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dentistry at Columbia College of Dental Medicine and a visiting lecturer at NYU, teaching Periodontal Microsurgery to periodontal residents at both institutions. He has also taught ethics to dental students at Columbia since 1993 and has been involved with their student mentoring program since 1995.

Dr. Connolly maintains active involvement in both local and national dental organizations. He was President of the New York Academy of Dentistry (2004/2005) and of the New York Academy of Dentistry Endowment Fund(2007/2008). He currently is on the Board, chairs the Fellowship Committee, is their representative to the Donated Dental Services program and chairs the Golf and Tennis Outing. He is Chair Elect and on the Board of the New York Section of the American College of Dentists. He was instrumental in bringing Donated Dental Services (a national organization devoted to bringing pro bono dental care to the less fortunate) to New York and currently serves on their advisory committee for New York. He had been president of the 1852 Society (which consists of the school’s most generous supporters) at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, is a member of the Board of Visitors at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and is currently the Chair of the Capital Campaign at the Columbia College of Dental Medicine.

In 1997, Dr. Connolly completed his training in Periodontal Microsurgery. He taught at the Periodontal Microsurgery Institute from 1997-2002 and has given lectures/courses on the subject at: American Academy of Periodontology Regional Workshops, the New York County Dental Society, the Greater New York Dental Meeting (1998, 2002, 2006), the Yankee Dental Meeting (1999), the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery Dental Hygiene Day (2004), University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine(2004), the American College of Dentists-New York Section (2002, 2003) and the New York Academy of Dentistry (2007).   

Dr. Connolly received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Department of Periodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in May 2008.

Outside of his busy professional life, Dr. Connolly is married to his wife Arlene and they have three daughters: Julie, Lauren, and Alyssa. He enjoys playing both tennis and platform tennis.