About the Program
The purpose of the Stony Brook University Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics is to provide clinical, laboratory and didactic training, closely supervised, at the post-doctoral level in fixed, removable, and implant prosthodontics. The residents also obtain experience in surgical implant placement, maxillofacial prosthetics, temporomandibular dysfunction, as well as digital dentistry in all facets of dentistry. The residency program will work closely together with the other post-doctoral dental specialty education programs at the School of Dental Medicine and the General Practice Residency program. The residents will learn an interdisciplinary approach to providing dental care, so upon completion of the program, they will have the necessary background and training to work well with other dental professionals. The program director will strive to ensure that all program faculty members are current with prevailing prosthodontic theories and techniques.
The program integrates all facets of the biomedical sciences with a comprehensive clinical experience culminating in the award of the certificate in prosthodontics.
Program Goals
Goals of the Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics
To provide progressive clinical, laboratory and didactic training, closely supervised, at
the post-doctoral level in fixed, removable, maxillofacial prosthetics and implant prosthodontics. The interrelation of other medical/dental clinical specialties is also emphasized.
The Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics has the following objectives:
- Education of knowledgeable and skilled clinicians in prosthodontics.
- Infusion of an appropriate level of applied basic science knowledge supporting theoretical and clinical prosthodontics.
- Education and qualifications of prosthodontists at the level to be certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics.
- Education of prosthodontists with research skills and with the ability to evaluate dental research.
- Establishing a foundation for further independent study and professional growth.
- Maintaining a program environment that is patient-centered, serves the residents/faculty/staff, and contributes to the advancement of knowledge
The 36-month Graduate Medical Education (GME) funded post-doctoral level program in fixed, removable and implant prosthodontics provides the candidate with clinical proficiency and comprehensive knowledge of the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with missing/damaged teeth and orofacial defects by using biocompatible artificial substitutes. The curriculum includes didactic and clinical instruction in complete dentures, removable partial dentures, fixed prosthodontics, implant dentistry (including implant surgery), geriatrics, temporomandibular disorders and maxillofacial prosthetics. The didactic background and the clinical and laboratory skills of these areas of prosthodontics are stressed.
Emphasis is placed on the periodontal integrity of the patient and the supportive therapy of all other disciplines in achieving total patient care. This integration is achieved through interdisciplinary seminars with the other specialties and through coordinated treatment planning.
Additionally, all residents are expected to perform a clinical or scientific research project culminating in presentation of their project at a national meeting and/or publication of the project. It is important for a well-rounded prosthodontic resident to experience all aspects of the specialty including research and teaching as well as the aforementioned clinical and laboratory skills.
The intensive and systematized library reading assignments and literature review seminars are an important aspect of the curriculum. They are designed to acquaint the resident with the principal facets of the prosthodontic specialty, evidence-based health care and methods of critically reviewing the dental literature.
All residents are encouraged to plan on pursuing certification by the American Board of Prosthodontics. To this end, the residents will be required to take Section A of the board exam and present at least two patient treatments that would satisfy the requirements of two parts of Section B of the board exam. Residents are encouraged to challenge one part of Section B of the American Board of Prosthodontics certification exam in February of their third year.
This program follows the guidelines established by the ADA for Advanced Educational Programs in Prosthodontics and the multidisciplinary scope of the specialty certificate examination of the American Board of Prosthodontics.
Coursework Requirements
Year I Curriculum
Advanced Prosthodontic Laboratory Techniques
Biomedical Sciences: Core Courses for Advanced Education Programs
Clinical Prosthodontics
Complete Denture Prosthodontics
Dental Materials Science
Digital Dentistry Literature Review
Ethics & Professionalism in Dental Practice
Fixed Partial Denture Prosthodontics
Geriatrics
Implant Dentistry – Current Topics
Implant Dentistry – Introduction
Introduction to Digital Dentistry
Medical Emergencies
Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine
Periodontal / Prosthodontic Treatment Planning Seminars
Practice Pre-Clinical Teaching – Fixed Partial Prosthodontics Technique
Practice Pre-Clinical Teaching – Removable Prosthodontics Technique
Prosthodontic Laboratory Techniques
Prosthodontic Treatment Planning Seminar
Research Design and Biostatistics
Year II Curriculum
Advanced Implant Prosthodontics
Advanced Occlusal Concepts
Clinical Prosthodontics
Digital Dentistry Literature Review
Maxillofacial Prosthetics (didactic)
Medical Emergencies
Occlusion and Dental Morphology
Periodontal / Prosthodontic Treatment Planning Seminars
Practice Pre-Clinical Teaching – Fixed Partial Prosthodontics Technique
Practice Pre-Clinical Teaching – Removable Prosthodontics Technique
Prosthodontic Board Preparation
Prosthodontic Literature Review
Prosthodontic Treatment Planning Seminar
Removable Partial Prosthodontics
Sedation
Year III Curriculum
Cleft Palate Conference
Clinical Prosthodontics
Craniofacial Growth and Development
Dental Facial Deformities (DFD) Conference
Digital Dentistry Literature Review
Head and Neck Tumor Board Meeting
Maxillofacial Prosthetics (clinical rotation)
Medical Emergencies
Periodontal / Prosthodontic Treatment Planning Seminars
Practice Management
Prosthodontic Board Preparation
Prosthodontic Literature Review
Prosthodontic Treatment Planning Seminar
Non-Course Requirements
Research Project
Research Opportunities
Each resident shall develop a research protocol and perform a research project related to prosthodontics. The research may take the form of a clinical/laboratory investigation or literature review. A mentor will be assigned based on the subject of the research. A completed research paper should be in a format acceptable for publication in a refereed prosthodontic journal.
Residents are required to research and develop a table clinic on a topic of interest. The presentation is to be made at various national prosthodontic meetings [American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics (GNYAP), American Prosthodontic Society (APS), American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics (AAFP), International Association for Dental Research (IADR), American Association for Dental Research (AADR), Academy of Osseintegration (AO), International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), etc.].
Prior to presenting at the national prosthodontic meetings, residents are to present at the New York Section ACP meeting.
Annually, the School of Dental Medicine holds the Leo Sreebny Research Symposium. All residents in the Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics will be required to attend this symposium for its entire duration. All third-year residents will be required to present a poster at the event. First- and second-year residents are encouraged to present a poster as well.
Stipends / Benefits
As a GME-funded program, the resident position is salaried and there are no tuition fees. Information about stipends can be found at medicine.stonybrookmedicine.edu/gme/application
A summary of benefits including health and prescription insurance, dental and vision plans, retirement systems, flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, and vacation/sick leave can be found at medicine.stonybrookmedicine.edu/gme/application
Meet Our Team
Program Director: Tanya Somohano, DMD, FACP
Phone: (631) 632-3161 | Email: tanya.somohanomarquez@stonybrookmedicine.edu
A message from Dr. Somohano:
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics. Our program takes pride in providing a constructive working environment amongst the program director in 2016. It has been a privilege to work with my colleagues, residents and our wonderful staff cultivating the residency program. We look forward to training knowledgeable, critical thinkers and well-rounded future prosthodontists.
Program Coordinator: Betsy Schroeder
Phone: (631) 632-8825 | Email: elizabeth.schroeder@stonybrookmedicine.edu
Faculty:
Paul Albora, DDS
Reuben David, DDS
Rafael Delgado-Ruiz, DDS, MDSc, MDSc, PhD
Kenneth Kurtz, DDS, FACP
Christine Valestrand, DMD
Current Residents:
Jennifer Mehrens, DDS, Chief Resident
Dr. Jennifer Mehrens holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, completed a Post-Baccalaureate Health Professionals Program at the University of California, Berkeley, and received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Touro College of Dental Medicine, Hawthorne, New York. Dr. Mehrens enjoys cooking with her husband and spending time with her two cats, as well as traveling home to California to see her family whenever possible.
Junaid Rajani, DDS, MS
Dr. Junaid Rajani received his Bachelor of Science from Stony Brook University in biochemistry, graduating summa cum laude. He attended Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) with distinction in research. During dental school, he also completed his Master of Science (MS), exploring the therapeutic use of stem cells for peri-implantitis. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, traveling, and exploring the many wonderful restaurants of New York.
Marika Jagielska, DDS
Dr. Marika Jagielska was born in Poland and moved to New York at the age of 16. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Stony Brook University and in 2021, received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Buffalo, New York. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her dog, Stefan, as well as spend time in nature.
Rivka Kalendarov, DDS
Dr. Rivka Kalendarov holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from CUNY Queens College, and in 2020 received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from New York University (NYU). After graduation, she completed a General Practice Residency (GPR) at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York. In her spare time, Rivka dances salsa and bachata, and she also likes to play tennis.
Matthew Chinskey, DMD
Dr. Matthew Chinskey holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from CUNY Brooklyn College and in 2020, received his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) from Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He continued his training at Temple University and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD). Matthew currently resides on Long Island with his wife and three children, and in his free time enjoys playing baseball.
Byung Min Nahm, DMD
Dr. Byung Min Nahm holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Tufts University, and in 2018, received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA. He served for two years in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and completed a one-year General Practice Residency (GPR) at Stony Brook University Hospital. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and traveling.
Application Information
To apply to the advanced education program in endodontics, please submit an application through the ADEA/PASS portal.
Please note that to be eligible for this program, applicants must have a DDS/DMD from a CODA accredited dental institution within the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico. Additionally, applicants must also be a United States citizen or permanent resident. Applicants with foreign dental training will not be considered. For full application guidelines, please review the ADEA/PASS portal.
Questions regarding the Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics can be directed to:
Elizabeth Schroeder
Department of Prosthodontics and Digital Technology
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
Westchester Hall, Room 1105
Stony Brook, NY 11794-8712
Fax: (631) 632-3961
Email: sdm.prosthodontics@stonybrookmedicine.edu
