Dental Class of 2027 recognized at white coat ceremony

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry welcomed 106 students from the Dental Class of 2027 to the health care profession during the 26th Annual DDS White Coat Ceremony in early January.

The landmark ceremony for the second-year dental students was held on Jan. 11 in the Houston Ballroom on the nearby University of Houston campus. Photos from the White Coat Ceremony can be viewed on Flickr (album to come), and a replay of the event is available on YouTube.

In his opening remarks, Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, asked the dental class what symbols of the health care profession stand out to a patient.

“The white coat is certainly the most recognizable,” Valenza said. “Our coats carry a message to patients that ‘Here is a health care professional who is going to help me.’ It implies someone who possesses great skill or experience; has high standards and behaves in a professional manner; will put the needs of others before their own; and is committed to lifelong teaching, learning, and service.”

Valenza outlined the history of the white coat ceremony, from its origin to influence standards of professionalism, humanism, and behavior of students that the School of Dentistry and other health profession schools follow.

1. Roger Macias, DDS, editor of the Texas Section of the American College of Dentists and team dentist for the San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio Rampage, San Antonio Silver Stars, and numerous colleges and high schools in South Texas, returned as the keynote speaker for a second straight year.

Macias welcomed the DDS Class of 2027 “to the greatest profession in the world, the profession of dentistry.”

He shared how his 42 years in practice have been synonymous with three words — professionalism, caring, and trust.

“Let’s strive for success, not just in the endeavors that we have here, but in the profound impact that all of you are going to make on the rest of our profession and the future of dentistry,” he said. “I’ve heard it said that embracing ethics is our guiding principle, embracing hard work is the vehicle to achieve our aspirations while lifting others up, and embracing gratitude should be our constant companion.”

Keely A. Hunsaker, DDS ’85, president of the UTSD Alumni Association, led students through The Dentist’s Pledge.

Robert Spears, PhD, associate dean for student and academic affairs, emceed the ceremony, announcing each dental student and coater, noting the comradery among the second-year class as hoots and hollers came from family, friends, and classmates alike. Several students were coated by family members who also serve in the dental profession.

The UTSD Alumni Association provided personalized white coats for the ceremony. Event sponsors included the Houston Academy of General Dentistry and the Houston Asian American Dental Society. Special thanks are given to the School of Dentistry’s Office of Student and Academic Affairs for organizing the event and the PACE Center for the lapel pins provided to each student.