January 2021 - For yet another year, Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine’s graduating class has a perfect “match.” According to National Matching Services Inc, the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (the Dental Match) “provides an orderly process to help applicants obtain positions in postdoctoral dental education programs of their choice, and to help programs obtain applicants of their choice.”
100% of Dental Match participants in the Class of 2021 were placed into advanced education programs. Following receipt of their Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees, they will head off to 29 institutions within 11 different states. Nearly half of the graduating class will go onto specialize, with the top three specialties chosen being Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Student Upasna Malhotra’s dream has long been to become an orthodontist. Now, she will attend Montefiore’s Orthodontic Residency Program – the same program her own orthodontist attended. Upasna explains that she is grateful for her future: “This will allow me to create beautiful smiles and help improve the self-esteem of many!”
“I chose to go into Pediatric Dentistry because it allows me to introduce and shape a child’s first impression of dentistry,” said student Cyril Manchery. Cyril will continue his education at the School of Dental Medicine in part thanks to his appreciation for meaningful relationships with faculty. “I’m looking forward to working with our amazing faculty and doing what I love.”
The national average of dental students matching into advanced education programs from their dental school is 59%, a number far surpassed by the School of Dental Medicine. “Each year, the excitement for the Match is twofold,” said Dr. Allan J. Kucine, Interim Dean. “It’s a clear indication that our students are well on track toward meeting their professional goals, and also that the educational experience provided by our institution lays the foundation for their success.”
