NEW YORK — Yeshiva University will open the doors of its new College of Dental Medicine (YUCDM) this July, marking the first new dental school established in New York City since 1916. Located in the historic Herald Center building at 34th Street and Broadway in Midtown Manhattan, the school will enroll its inaugural class of 150 students in an accelerated three-year DDS program.
The launch represents a significant development for dental education on the East Coast, both in its scale — with 150 new dental students entering annually — and in its curriculum model. The three-year pathway, offered by only a small number of dental schools in the country, compresses the traditional four-year timeline while maintaining full CODA accreditation, allowing graduates to enter the workforce sooner and with reduced tuition burden.
A 130-Chair Clinical Facility at the Center of It All
Central to the school's mission is Yeshiva Dental Health, a 130-chair clinical training facility designed to serve hundreds of patients per day. The dual-purpose clinic functions as both a teaching environment and a source of affordable dental care for New York City residents — an area where access to dental services remains a persistent challenge.
Dr. Edward Farkas, named Founding Dean of YUCDM, emphasized the forward-looking nature of the program. The curriculum integrates digital imaging, 3D printing, and hands-on clinical instruction from the outset, with the stated goal of preparing graduates for the practice environment of 2040 and beyond.
Philanthropic Backing and Institutional Growth
The school received a $15 million leadership gift from Morris Bailey and Joseph L. Jerome of JEMB Realty Corporation. It joins a growing portfolio of health sciences programs at Yeshiva University that includes occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, speech-language pathology, and a nursing program launched in 2024.
The building itself — originally constructed in 1902 as the flagship Saks department store — has been reimagined across ten stories to house simulation labs, digital operatories, collaborative learning spaces, and the clinical facility.
Industry Context
The timing of the launch aligns with continued strong demand for dental professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8% growth in the field, with more than 10,000 new positions expected by 2028. Dentistry has ranked in U.S. News & World Report's "Top 10 Best Jobs" list for six consecutive years.
YUCDM has received accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and is registered with the New York State Education Department.