Match Maker: Class of 2015 Choose Residency Spots

Students Michelle Paniagua (left) and Hetal Patel mark the spot on RSDM's Match Day map.

A U.S. map filled with colored pins tells the Match Day story of RSDM’s Class of 2015.

Each represents what will soon be phase one in a student’s career: a residency as a dentist or specialist, whether it’s in a private practice, hospital or advanced education in general dentistry program (AEGD).

Of 58 RSDM students who sought matches after graduation, 49 – or 85 percent – were matched, as opposed to the national dental school average of 65 percent.

Kim Fenesy, senior associate dean of Academic Affairs, attributes RSDM’s statistics to its rigorous clinical program, which is unparalleled at preparing students for residencies.

“We have such a strong program that our reputation precedes us,’’ she said. “In our surveys of post-graduate residency directors, we always get high marks for the level of our students' clinical skills.’’

The majority of RSDM students matched in New Jersey or New York but a few will be going to places as far-flung as New Orleans and North Carolina.

Among all 107 RSDM students, including those who didn’t seek a match, 52 will be starting general practice residencies next year, with 30 in private practice. The rest chose specialties, AEGD programs or jobs in U.S. Air Force or Naval clinics.

This year there were eight orthodontics residencies -- a record number for RSDM -- and four students who matched for pediatric residencies, like Hetal Patel.

“I’m excited to be treating only children, which is what I love to do.’’ said Patel, who’ll be starting her residency at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn after graduation.

Martin Rabinovich was one of a handful of students who’ll be leaving the tri-state area. He’ll be doing his orthodontic residency at the University of Colorado. “I heard the program was good. And the scenery is beautiful,’’ said Rabinovich, who grew up in New Jersey.

He explained why he chose to specialize in ortho. “It’s more stress-free than other types of dentistry because people aren’t usually coming in for pain. There aren’t really any emergencies, but you can make a big difference in someone’s life.”

For students, Match Day is a turning point.

“It’s a new chapter,’’ said Michelle Paniagua, who will be doing an advanced education in general dentistry residency at Temple University’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry. “We’re going into the actual working world now.’’