Dr. Perez is the Director of
Student & Multicultural Affairs at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. He
earned a BS degree from the University of Puerto Rico and a D.M.D. degree from
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Dental Medicine (RSDM).
He completed a General Practice Residency and a Chief Residency program at
Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, where he became an Attending and
Site-Supervisor. To further his education, he completed a one-year certificate
in aesthetic dentistry from New York University College of Dentistry and later
earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in health sector
management from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Silberman College of Business.
He serves as Course Director
of the Introduction to the Dental Profession, a course that has been crafted to
introduce dental students to the history, attitudes, ethical principles and
responsibilities of the profession. Recently, Dr. Perez developed a Patient
Simulation Series, which exposed second-year dental students to diverse
cultural and ethnic scenarios while helping them develop effective
communication skills. In addition, he has an active role in preclinical
instruction for first- and second-year students. As an advocate of
interprofessional education, he has developed training for facilitators based
on the core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice.
In addition to his
administrative responsibilities, Dr. Perez has several research interests that
relate to improving the experience of dental students during their academic
years. For over a decade, Dr. Perez has been a mentor for many students,
residents and young dentists.
Dr. Perez has been an active
member at the American Dental Education Association. He has also served as
Chair of the Student Affairs/Financial Aid Section (AFASA) and currently holds
the position of President-elect of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).
At RSDM, Dr. Perez serves on
various committees, including Student Academic Performance, Post Accreditation
and Admission Committee. Also, he is Chair of the Community Advisory and
Multicultural Affairs.