College of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony set for Friday January 12, 2024

Forty-eight College of Dentistry students are poised to embark on a transformative journey as they transition to clinical work during the highly anticipated White Coat Ceremony on Friday, January 12, 2024. This ceremonial event serves to mark a momentous milestone in the educational and professional evolution of dental students, signifying their shift from the controlled setting of the dental simulation lab to the dynamic realm of direct patient care within the college's Dental Education Clinic.

Dr. Walter Siqueira, the dean of the College of Dentistry, underscores the profound significance of this transition, recalling that “every dentist fondly remembers the pivotal move from simulated procedures to the real-life complexities of patient interactions during their student days. This ceremony celebrates the students’ transition; where their training moves from the simulation lab to actual patients, marking a significant step towards becoming competent dental professionals.”

This annual celebration extends beyond the recognition of individual accomplishments; it serves as a poignant reminder of the collective professional growth achieved by the dental student community. The ceremony will honor thirty-six students from the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Class of 2026, along with twelve students representing the International Dental Degree Program (IDDP) Class of 2025.

Integral to the ceremony is the recitation of the professional code of conduct, a powerful commitment that guides the students' interactions with patients and fellow members of the dental team. Dr. Siqueira underscores the importance of this moment, stating that “the White Coat Ceremony and the recitation of the Code of Professional Conduct oath signify each student's dedication to a higher calling as a dental professional.”

Acceptance of the symbolic white coat and the earnest recitation of the oath bind students to a set of professional rules and expectations. Dr. Siqueira emphasizes that virtues such as altruism, accuracy, and integrity, which form the bedrock of the dental profession and must be consistently demonstrated on a continuous basis.

The ceremony will be held in the distinguished Convocation Hall. Those family members who are unable to attend in person can partake in the experience through the live stream, commencing at 1:30 p.m. CST.

The ceremony will also be recorded. It can be viewed at White Coat Video