Dean Feldman Gives State of the School Address

RSDM’s record number of applicants and an increase in international students were two highlights of Dean Cecile A. Feldman’s State of the School address last month.

In 2015, the school garnered a total of 2,300 applicants, a six percent increase from the previous year.  Typically, only 90 to 100 students are accepted. The number of international students who applied also rose, with an increase of 23 percent.“That reflects the strength of our faculty and everything you’re doing, day in and day out,’’ Dean Feldman told the audience of staff and faculty.

Other significant changes at the school included the rise of Medicaid patients, from 30 percent to 50 percent, an increase the dean attributed to the Affordable Healthcare Act.

She also touted the April grand opening of the postgraduate interdisciplinary specialty center, a 24,000-foot facility located on C-Level. The space will include 80 dental operatories used by several dental specialties as well as seven surgical suites for teaching advanced implantology, periodontal surgery and endodontic surgery.

Perhaps the most welcome news shared by Dean Feldman was the fact that dentistry-related professions topped the list of U.S. News and World Report’s 100 Best Jobs of 2016. Orthodontist came in first, followed by dentist at number two and oral & maxillofacial surgeon at number 10.

“They were rated for salary, flexibility and growth of the work force,’’ Dean Feldman explained.