Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College Welcomes Inaugural Class

The Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) at New York Medical College, the first new dental school in New York State in nearly 50 years, officially opened its doors on July 5 and welcomed its inaugural class of 111 future dentists. A week full of “Transition to Dentistry” activities launched the TCDM Class of 2020 on their journey to becoming dental professionals. View the photo gallery here. 

More than 2,000 applications were received for the Class of 2020 and more than 500 applicants were interviewed, resulting in a well-rounded and well-qualified debut class. The 111 matriculated students hail from 24 states and represent 76 undergraduate institutions. Thirty-two percent of the class is from New York.

“As New York State’s first new dental school in nearly half a century and the only dental school in the Hudson Valley, the Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC will fill a void in dental education and improve access to oral health care, particularly in underserved rural and urban communities throughout the region,” said Alan Kadish, M.D., president of Touro College and University System and New York Medical College. “The school will address the existing shortage of training options for dentists in New York State and create a pipeline for the next generation of dental professionals, while also seeing to the immediate needs of the community through its dental clinic.”

With the goal of bolstering dental education and improving access to oral health care throughout New York’s Hudson Valley region and beyond, the TCDM provides a four-year pre-doctoral program for students, a continuing education program for practicing dentists, and a 132-chair community dental clinic that will focus on providing patients in underserved communities in the Hudson Valley and the Bronx with affordable and quality treatment. 

The TCDM will also conduct a range of research efforts including: research focused on reducing the cost of effective care; population outcomes-based research concentrated on interventions; and translational research that harnesses scientific discoveries to produce new devices and treatment options for patients.

Jay P. Goldsmith, D.M.D., is the founding dean of the dental school. Dr. Goldsmith was formerly an associate professor, program director and deputy chief of dental medicine at Metropolitan Hospital Center. In addition to his experience in the academic world, Dr. Goldsmith is a leading dentist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon with more than 50 years of experience, a fellow of the American College of Dentists, founding fellow of the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and past president of the New York Academy of Dentistry.

Edward F. Farkas, D.D.S., is senior associate dean for clinical affairs and chairman of dentistry. Dr. Farkas, a 1985 graduate of New York University, has been practicing general dentistry in New York City for over 30 years, and has been involved with the founding of TCDM from the outset.

Ronnie Myers, D.D.S. is senior associate dean for academic and administrative affairs. Previously he served as vice dean for administration at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.

Salomon Amar, D.D.S., Ph.D., is provost for biomedical research at Touro College and University System, professor of molecular biology at NYMC, and professor of dentistry at TCDM.

Prior to welcoming the Class of 2020, a TCDM gala was held on June 16 to honor Dr. Perry Brickman and the Honorable Michael Mukasey, two figures who have been instrumental in advancing the cause of accessible dental education for all. View the TCDM gala photo gallery here.