NYU College of Dentistry gets generous donation from alumni

NEW YORK - The NYU College of Dentistry has received a generous multimillion-dollar donation from alumni Dr. Noel Liu (DDS '07) and Dr. Nazish Jafri (DDS '11) to enhance the college’s implant dentistry programs and improve access to dental education and care.

To recognize this substantial gift, the college’s advanced training program in implant dentistry will be renamed the ‘Liu Advanced Clinical Fellowship in Implant Dentistry’.

A significant portion of the donation—$1 million—will fund scholarships for dentists enrolling in the fellowship, creating the Liu Scholars. The gift will also support the NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities, the NYU Dentistry Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, and the Veterans Oral Care Access Resource (VOCARE), among other areas.

Dr. Charles N. Bertolami, Dean of NYU Dentistry, thanked Dr. Liu and Dr. Jafri for their investment in the future of dentistry and their commitment to making dental education and care more affordable. He said it was gratifying to see their alumni succeed and create positive change, and that the institution felt humbled to be part of their professional journeys.

Drs. Liu and Jafri, co-founders and owners of Secure Dental, a dental service organization with over ten practices across Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, are passionate about mentoring the next generation of dental professionals. They plan to expand Secure Dental to Tennessee, further extending their impact.

Dr. Liu says that he and Nazish are witnesses to the transformative power of mentorship in dentistry. He mentions that through their relationship with NYU, they are committed to nurturing, guiding, and supporting future dental leaders. He says this is their passion and they are striving to inspire their future colleagues.

Dental implants, which offer secure, long-term solutions for replacing missing or damaged teeth, play a crucial role in restoring healthy smiles.

The Liu Advanced Clinical Fellowship in Implant Dentistry at NYU Dentistry is a two-year, full-time program designed for U.S. and foreign-trained dentists seeking to enhance their clinical skills and knowledge in implant dentistry. The fellowship includes clinical experience, didactics, and research, balancing restorative and surgical expertise.

Dr. Sang-Choon Cho, director of the Liu Advanced Clinical Fellowship in Implant Dentistry at NYU Dentistry, expressed his delight that the generous gift would fund scholarships and allow them to attract highly qualified candidates from across the globe. He noted that it represented a significant opportunity for their implant program to ascend to new heights of success.

Drs. Liu and Jafri maintain a connection to NYU Dentistry through guest lectures and mentorship. They will continue to share their expertise with students, fostering the development of future dental professionals.

Dr. Anabella Oquendo, assistant dean for international programs at NYU Dentistry, remarked that Dr. Jafri and Dr. Liu’s investment in the clinical fellowship demonstrated their ability to help dentists grow and succeed. She stated that this investment created a legacy of implant dentistry professionals working at the forefront of their field to restore healthy smiles.