Press Release

At the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School
Nationally Recognized Prosthodontist Named Vice Dean of UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School

Dr. Cosmo DeSteno, a nationally recognized prosthodontist, has been appointed vice dean at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-New Jersey Dental School in Newark.

As vice dean, Dr. DeSteno, of Spring Lake, oversees operations for internal and external affairs including the Statewide Network for Oral Health Care, Office of Clinical Affairs, Office of Admissions and Recruitment, Office of Student Affairs, Office of Interdisciplinary and Hospital Affairs, Office of Continuing Dental Education, and the Office of Alumni Affairs.

Prior to this appointment, he most recently served as associate dean for clinical affairs at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School and he has also served as associate dean for the Department of Interdisciplinary and Extramural Programs.

Dr. Cecile Feldman, dean of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School, said, "Dr. DeSteno's contributions to dental education and his experience as an administrator at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School make him an ideal fit for this leadership position. I believe his expertise, vision and dedication are solid qualities that will help advance our school's growth and development."

Dr. DeSteno attended Fordham University and received a doctor of dental medicine (DMD) degree from the then New Jersey College of Dentistry in 1969 where he was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society. He then obtained a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in physiology and biophysics from the University of Alabama Graduate School, where he was elected to Sigma Xi, the National Honor Society for Science and Engineering.

After completing his doctorate, Dr. DeSteno returned to New Jersey, where he entered private practice and joined the faculty of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School in 1973. In 1999, he made academic dentistry his full-time professional commitment, as chief operations officer for the dental school's Center for Dental and Oral Health and its Dental Implant Center. He accepted his first administrative position as an associate dean at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School in 2000.

In addition to his commitment to clinical practice and education, he has maintained active interest in the areas of in vitro calcification systems, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and oral health care for persons with HIV/AIDS.

A Diplomat of the American Board of Prosthodontists, Dr. DeSteno has been active in several national professional organizations, including serving as president of the American College of Prosthodontists and of the American College of Prosthodonists Education Foundation. Dr. DeSteno organized a national symposium that focused on defining strategic directions for the future of the profession.

He is responsible for developing and publishing the official journal of the American College of Prosthodontists, and has been published in professional journals as well as contributing to several textbooks. He is also a member of 12 professional societies and the recipient of several prestigious awards in his field.

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) comprises the state's only three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing, and a school of public health on campuses in Newark, Piscataway/New Brunswick, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ also operates UMDNJ-University Hospital in Newark and University Behavioral HealthCare. It is affiliated with more than 200 health care and educational institutions throughout the state.

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