This week, fourth year students from the School of Dental Medicine gathered to celebrate their residency placements—known as the Match—for the next year.
“On behalf of the entire UConn School of Dental Medicine community, I congratulate the class of 2022 on an outstanding residency Match,” said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean of the School of Dental Medicine. “This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the achievements and accomplishments of the members of the class of 2022.”
“The Match is a great reflection of all their hard work and dedication,” Lepowsky continues. “We’re looking forward to seeing and hearing about the amazing things this class will accomplish during the next phase of their professional careers.”
Out of the 48 students, 20 will be staying in Connecticut—with 10 doing their residency at UConn Health. The students matched in competitive programs in endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, general dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and pediatric dentistry. Two students will be continuing their training through the United States military, one in the United States Army and one with the United States Air Force.
“The students of the class of 2022 have met the challenges and matched in many competitive programs,” said Dr. Sarita Arteaga, associate dean for students. “We are excited for our students to see what the future will bring.”
Gabriella Blazquez of Westin, Florida, looks forward to staying at UConn Health to continue her training in endodontics.
“This school has been an amazing four years and I’m happy I get to stay here,” said Gabriella. “It’s like a second home.”
Brenna Frechette of West Suffield, Connecticut, is heading to Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut for a general practice residency with the hopes of practicing hometown dentistry in the future.
“This program has such a great atmosphere and they are very forward with technology,” Brenna says about her new residency placement
Tyler Guido of Galway, New York, will be doing an advanced education in general dentistry residency program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). According to Tyler, his time at UConn Health has prepared him for the challenges of VCU’s program.
“The training here at UConn is top of the line,” said Tyler. “The faculty are really engaging and it makes our time in the clinic really enjoyable. I feel like I can use a lot of what I learned here for future endeavors.”
Michaela Matos of Naugatuck, Connecticut, and Paul Nwokeji of Boston, Massachusetts will earn the coveted status of “Triple Husky” as they begin their residency programs at UConn. Both Michaela and Paul completed their undergraduate degree at UConn.
Paul, a former UConn football player who matched in UConn’s oral and maxillofacial surgery program, is grateful for the interpersonal skills he’s gained during his time at UConn.
“I’ve gained a lot of people skills, including communication with patients, and getting to know people,” said Paul. “This is a really friendly place.”
Michaela will continue to train in pediatric dentistry at UConn and looks forward to working with the pediatric dentistry team in an environment that, according to Michaela, will propel her forward in her career in dentistry,
For Michaela, working towards a successful career in pediatric dentistry is not her only goal.
“I hope to maybe write a children’s book by the time residency is done,” said Michaela.
