DH Class of 2027 takes first step toward financial, career success

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry’s Dental Hygiene Class of 2027 was welcomed with a foundational lecture on financial strategy and professional presence, delivered during a luncheon hosted by the PACE Center on Aug. 7 as part of Orientation Week.

Held in the Birdwell Classroom, the event featured the presentation “Student Debt Management and Professional Presence,” led by PACE Practice Consulting Co-Chairs S. Jerry Long, DDS ’66, and Joe Mike Piazza, DDS ’79.

A longstanding tradition for incoming students, the lecture offered practical strategies for managing student debt during school and accelerating repayment after graduation. The presentation focused on minimizing loan interest, managing student debt efficiently, and planning for repayment after graduation.

“This is about helping students understand the financial realities of their education and empowering them to take control early,” Long said. “We want them to graduate not just as skilled professionals, but also as financially savvy ones who can manage their education costs wisely.”

Key points from the session included making and following a personal budget, drawing only necessary funds from student loans, avoiding deferment or forbearance when possible, consolidating mature loans for lower interest, working in underserved areas for loan forgiveness, and applying extra principal payments effectively.

One highlight of the presentation was a detailed look at student loan amortization, using a $187,000 loan example over a 10-year term at 6% interest.

Students learned how fixed monthly payments gradually shift — starting with higher interest and lower principal, then reversing over time. The session emphasized how early extra payments can significantly reduce total interest and shorten the repayment period, empowering students to take control of their financial future from day one.

The presentation, now in its second decade, is also delivered to first-year dental students. While the core financial guidance remains consistent, the professional presence portion is tailored to reflect the unique role dental hygienists play in clinical settings.

Dental hygienists represent the dental office, spend considerable time with patients, and are trained to uphold the practice and the broader health care community through their conduct and communication. The session also emphasized that professional presence extends online, urging students to maintain a positive reputation on social media.

“Professional presence isn’t just about how you dress or speak — it’s about how you carry the values of the dental office and the profession in every interaction,” Piazza said. “Dental hygienists are often the first point of contact for patients, and that impression matters.”

The luncheon served as both a warm welcome and a pivotal starting point for the DH Class of 2027. As students begin their time at the School of Dentistry, the practice consultants’ guidance reinforces that success in dental hygiene requires both clinical excellence and financial foresight.