The UConn School of Dental Medicine class of 2025 celebrated their transition to the primary care of patients. For the 51 students in this class, all that they have worked for to date culminated in this recognition where they were presented with a second set of white coats during the White Coat Transition Ceremony held on March 31.

Every dental school in the United States and Canada holds a white coat ceremony, some do it at the beginning of dental school, while others hold their ceremony when students are entering the clinical phase of their training. UConn School of Dental Medicine may be the only school that celebrates two white coat ceremonies.

“It’s important here at UConn to hold the white coat ceremony at the beginning of your time with us because it allowed us to welcome you into the profession and the school community, but also gave us the opportunity to stress some of the foundational principles of our profession – integrity, ethics, service to and compassion for others,” said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, Dean, School of Dental Medicine. “We have the second white coat ceremony to mark another and just as important milestone in your professional journey and that is the entry into clinical practice.”

Lepowsky told the students to reflect on the guiding principles they spoke about 588 days ago when they received their first white coats- the commitment to the oral health of individuals and society, a commitment to serve others and to do their very best to make a real difference in the lives of individuals and that of communities.

Dr. Victoria Massey, an alumna of the UConn School of Dental Medicine and dental director of the Community Health and Wellness Center of Greater Torrington provided words of wisdom telling the students, “You have chosen a career in health and human services, and it is crucial to remember every day exactly what that means, it oftentimes means putting others above self. Experience the joy in every patient interaction especially on difficult days it’s important to remember the sacrifices that you made to get to that point. If you wish to find success which can be defined in a myriad of ways practice with honesty, integrity, compassion, humility, and personal responsibility if you do this you will find that you’ll have a successful career.”

In addition to the new white coats, the students received a gift of a chairside instructor manual from the Connecticut State Dental Association. Executive Director of the Association, Kathlene Gerrity encouraged the students to enjoy every part of the moment and when things get stressful in the coming days to focus on why they chose this profession.

“Whenever I ask the dentists who call my office every single day about the challenges that are facing their practices, I ask them the question why did you choose to become a dentist and almost everyone says because I want to help people, because I love my patients and I want to give back to my community,” says Gerrity.

The students were presented with their new white coats and were led in the professional pledge by Dr. Sarita Arteaga, Associate Dean for Students, UConn School of dental medicine.

Juan Mitchell, a student from Georgia said the event is one of the more momentous occasions I’ve had so far in my professional career as well as my academic career and is excited for the next step of clinical care.

“I’m glad I chose a school with such diversity,” says Mitchell. “There’s such a close-knit student body as well as faculty that really pay attention to our needs and exactly what we need to progress through school and manage our patients through this transition.”

Courtney Cummings of Salem, CT found her interest in dentistry through UConn’s Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP). Cummings who has overcome chronic illnesses throughout her life knew she wanted to do something to take care of people and finds it amazing and grateful to be in the position she is in now.

“Overcoming all I have and then doing this, this is big,” says Cummings. “It feels real now it’s wild because I remember our first white coat ceremony, and it was so far away and now I’m here.”

“It’s been 588 days since we welcomed you into the professional and the UConn dental family but permit me to share one more number with you – in approximately 775 days we will welcome you again but this time no longer as a student but as a graduate,” says Lepowsky. “I want to congratulate all of you on all the hard work that’s brought you to this point and share that we’re all looking forward to being with you on the remainder of this incredible journey.”

Family and friends of the students were able to watch via live stream that was recorded for future viewing.