Testimonial from Alexander Karkazis ’22, DDS
Testimonial from Aman Kumar ’21, DDS
My year at Faxton–St. Luke’s Dental Health Center under the direction of Dr. Evelyn Salgado was one of the most formative experiences of my professional career. After graduating from Touro College of Dental Medicine as a member of the inaugural Class of 2020, the residency provided the opportunity to transition from dental school into comprehensive patient care with increasing confidence, independence, and clinical judgment.
The hospital-based environment exposed me to a broad scope of dentistry that extended well beyond what is typically encountered in private practice. I gained experience managing dental emergencies, treating medically complex patients, participating in operating room dentistry, caring for pediatric, geriatric, and special needs populations, and working alongside multiple dental specialties. The interdisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment planning strengthened my ability to evaluate patients comprehensively and appreciate the connection between oral health and systemic health.
One of the greatest strengths of the program was the opportunity to learn from an exceptional group of volunteer attending dentists, each bringing unique clinical perspectives and years of experience. Rotations through the private practices, local dental laboratories, and hospital dental care provided valuable exposure to different treatment philosophies, restorative workflows, and laboratory communication that continue to influence how I approach patient care today.
The residency emphasized critical thinking, sound treatment planning, professionalism, and lifelong learning. It reinforced the importance of treating patients rather than simply treating teeth, while the faculty lend their confidence to manage complex cases involving multiple phases of dentistry.
The foundation I built at Faxton–St. Luke’s ultimately helped prepare me for acceptance into Boston University’s combined Certificate in Prosthodontics and Master of Science in Applied Biomechanics program. The breadth of clinical experience, mentorship, and emphasis on comprehensive care cultivated my interest in advanced restorative dentistry and provides the skills and confidence to pursue specialty training.
I remain grateful to Dr. Salgado and the faculty for their mentorship and commitment to resident education. I would strongly recommend the Faxton–St. Luke’s GPR to any graduating dentist seeking a challenging, well-rounded hospital-based residency that develops both clinical excellence and professional growth.
Sincerely,
Aman Kumar, DDS
