Page 32 - GP Fall Final 2017

The Touro College of Dental Medicine

By Ronnie Myers, DDS
The first new dental school to open in New York State in almost 50 manual dexterity within the state of the art simulation center. This
years was a dream just four short years ago when the Touro Col- simulation center consists of what is essentially an operatory/lab
lege and University System made the decision to bring the idea to bench with a simulation dental unit and mannequin. This enables
fruition. Through the vision of Dr. Alan Kadish, University Pres- the students to work as if they are in a regular operatory using
ident, the hard work of Dr. Jay Goldsmith, founding Dean, and indirect vision and water spray. The mannequin, of course, can be
Dr. Edward Farkas, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, the outfitted with different dentitions so that different case scenarios
accreditation process and New York State approval was started and can be provided. Whether it be a child, adolescent, edentulous or
completed to allow acceptance of applications in January 2016 and partially edentulous patient, the students get a real sense of how
matriculation just six months later. Even with only one month of to develop dif-
application availability, over 2,100 completed applications were ferent skills in
received. The process was no easy task, but on July 5, 2016, 112 a very practical
new students representing the class of 2020 arrived on campus to manner. In addi-
the warm welcome of all those involved. After a week of transition tion, the simula-
which included eating, socializing, hiking, bowling, and orienta- tion laboratory
tion, classes began in earnest on July 11 . The diverse class con- is equipped with
th
sisting of half women and half men, hail from 25 states including scanning devices
Hawaii. They represent 76 undergraduate colleges and universi- and computer ca-
ties, some having multiple degrees, others previous careers. pabilities at each
of the 113 work-
stations. This, I
think we can all
agree, is far from
the dental labora-
tory design that
we learned in.

As a new educa-
tional center with
developing new
curriculum, our
student body is
also building a
home for them-
selves and future dental students. During this first academic year
they have developed and are in the process of developing clubs
and chapters of organizations that they will be involved in for a
lifetime, including the Academy of General Dentistry Student
Chapter. The students have been encouraged by and have taken
part in many programs within organized dentistry. The first ini-
tiated class activity was the formation of the American Student
Dental Association (ASDA) chapter. This is the student arm of the
American Dental Association and, in essence, the first contact with
organized dentistry. Reaching out to the Ninth District Dental So-
ciety, the students have participated in events ranging from oral
health screenings at a Special Olympics event to attending their
executive board meeting to meet the leadership. They have started
a student government, a Student Professionalism and Ethics Asso-
The curriculum is a rigorous one in which the students are im- ciation (SPEA) chapter, and an American Dental Education Asso-
mersed in the basic medical sciences for the first two years in order ciation (ADEA) chapter to expose students to career opportunities
to create a strong foundational knowledge upon which to build in dental education.
clinical skills. These
Years 1 and 2 Years 3 and 4
Basic Medical Science courses include The students and faculty are looking forward to the Class of 2021
th
Microbiology Histology Biochemistry, His- arriving on July 5 and the new relationships that will be built as
Biochemistry Physiology
Anatomy Pharmacology tology, Physiology, the institution grows.
Dental Sciences and Simulation Microbiology, Im-
th
Prosthodontics Pediatric Dentistry munology, Pharma- The Touro College of Dental Medicine is not only the 66 dental
Restorative Dentistry Endodontics Comprehensive Care
Periodontics Oral Surgery General Practice cology and Gross school in the United States, but it is the first dental school under
Orthodontics Radiology Anatomy. Jewish auspices outside of the state of Israel. The faculty, students
Implantology
and staff are extremely proud, excited, and working hard to make
Integration
Professionalism Critical Thinking During this time, research, education, and community service our tripartite mission
Treatment Planning the TCDM students here at the Touro College of Dental Medicine.
Ethics and Patient Relations
Evidence based care are also developing
www.nysagd.org l Fall 2017 l GP 27