RSDM Graduating Class Achieved 90% Match Rate for Postdoctoral Programs

Ninety percent of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine fourth-year students seeking placement in postdoctoral programs were matched — far above the national average of 64 percent. RSDM Dean Cecile A. Feldman announced the impressive statistics at a virtual Match Day ceremony on Jan. 25 attended by more than 80 people. “I don’t know of any other school that has a 90 percent match rate,” said Feldman, noting RSDM has a long history of strong postdoctoral program placement. Forty-six of the 51 fourth-year students who participated in the nationwide Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program were placed. Another 19 students were accepted into postdoctoral programs outside the Dental Match, Feldman noted. “This class has done extremely, extremely well,” said RSDM Vice Dean Kim Fenesy. “I am very happy and can't wait to start!” said David Dadoun ’22, who was accepted into an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Texas School of Dentistry. “I’m grateful for RSDM in preparing me for this momentous occasion!” RSDM Class of 2022 President Michael Masino said he was thrilled to be accepted for a general practice residency at Morristown Medical Center. “My dental school experiences were very important in leading me to match with this program,” Masino said. “Rutgers School of Dental Medicine gave me the opportunities I needed to excel as a student, leader, and clinician.” Masino said. The 26-year-old from East Hanover is also an artist, and said the support he received from classmates and faculty encouraged him to pursue his creations throughout dental school. Masino said he believed that helped him stand out as a GPR candidate. Fifty-four students will do a general practice residency, working at a hospital. Five will do residencies in orthodontics, two in pediatric dentistry, three in oral and maxillofacial surgery, one in periodontics, and one in advanced education in general dentistry. One will serve in the U.S. Army. Thirty-nine students will remain in New Jersey for their postdoctoral work, and 15 will work in New York. The others will be in programs as far away as Washington State. Of the 127 members of the Class of 2022, 53 intend to go into private practice. Seven were undecided about their postdoctoral plans. Feldman noted that six RSDM alumni also were accepted into programs through the 2022 Dental Match.

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