Tehran to New Jersey: Pediatric Dentist Chases Dreams

Since high school, Iranian native Ali Baghalian dreamt of a U.S. education. But economic constraints held him back. He attended dental school in his home country, where public schools are free, and launched his career there.

Ali Baghalian, a resident in the pediatric dentistry graduate program.

Two years ago, his dreams came true when he enrolled in RSDM’s Pediatric Dentistry Postgraduate Program.

“The moment I got the match result on my email is one that I will never forget in my life,” he said with excitement. “If I didn't do this, I was going to be ashamed of myself that I didn't dare to do it.”

In 2011, Baghalian obtained his pediatric dentistry degree. Following graduation, he became a faculty member at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. “Since we do free education in our country, as a part of paying back, we should work for a couple of years as a faculty member,” he explained. But in these years, he discovered his passion for teaching.

“I really like to teach clinical techniques to young dental students,” said Baghalian, who taught for a decade. This experience benefitted him, too. “It keeps me up to date by studying, papers, textbooks, everything.”

In 2016, he opened his own practice while still teaching. With bettering economical means, he decided to follow his dream to the U.S. He applied for pediatric dentistry programs around the country in 2020. He found out that from close to 100 programs, only a handful accepted foreign-trained dentists, one being RSDM. “Rutgers was my first choice,” he said.

Baghalian with his wife, who is also a dentist, and newborn twins.

Diversity of students is one of the best aspects of the RSDM pediatric dentistry postdoctoral program, noted Glenn Rosivack, chair of the Pediatric Dentistry Department. “We train individuals from across the globe,” he said. “We also accept students with a wide range of experience into our program.”

In Baghalian’s case, he came in as a proficient pediatric dentist. “His experience is evident in the treatment he provides for our patients,” said Rosivack. “After Dr. Baghalian restored a fractured permanent incisor for a patient in our clinic, the supervising faculty member commented that it was truly a work of art.”

At RSDM, he has been building on his skill sets with help from role models like Rosivack. “I learn a lot from the way he talks and the way he respects patients and residents,” said Baghalian. “He is one of the most respectful men I have ever seen in my life.”

With the guidance of Madhu Mohan, assistant professor of pediatric dentistry, and Sharon Freudenberger, associate professor of pediatric dentistry, he has been becoming a better communicator. “One of the main problems I have is just talking with the patients and understanding the parents because of the different cultures,” he said. From professor of pediatric dentistry Jorge Caceda, he has been learning research tips. “Dr. Caceda helps me a lot to improve my research skills, and I improve my clinical skills with the help of other faculty members: Drs. Scally, Giacona, Anastasio,” he said.

Now in his second and last year of the program, he is already thinking about the future as he approaches the final stretch of his RSDM journey.

“I really want to continue as a faculty member in the United States,” he said. “I don't know where I will finally end up, but this is in my mind.”