Penn Dental Medicine White Coat Ceremony Welcomes Class of 2029

Philadelphia — Penn Dental Medicine welcomed the Class of 2029 DMD students to the study of dental medicine at its annual White Coat Ceremony, held August 12 at Penn’s Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. This annual tradition holds symbolic significance for members of the incoming class as they are presented with a white coat and declare their commitment to assume the responsibilities of the dental profession.

“The white coat is a symbol of students’ entrance into the distinguished ranks of the health profession and a commitment to the pursuit of knowledge,” said Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, Dr. Mark Wolff, as part of his remarks, also telling students: “You are joining a lineage of leaders from Penn Dental Medicine who have advanced our understanding of health through rigorous scientific inquiry and courageous exploration.”

This year’s 178-member class is made up of 126 women and 52 men, who represent 31 states, U.S territories, and Canadian provinces, and speak 29 different languages. The highly accomplished students, selected from 2,999 applicants, had an average overall GPA of 3.85 in their undergraduate studies.

Dr. Uri Hangorsky, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, served as Master of Ceremonies of the program, which included a message from Dean Wolff and a keynote address by Penn Dental Medicine alumnus Dr. Tony Saito. A pediatric dentist with a private practice in West Boylston, MA, Dr. Saito is a 1995 DMD graduate of Penn Dental Medicine and a member of the School’s Board of Advisors.

“This is the foundation that will shape each of you in your pursuit of excellence in dentistry,” Dr. Saito shared with students as part of his remarks. “Here you will learn to treat the whole person — the key to being a truly great dentist.”

Students were cloaked in their white coats by members of the faculty, including Dr. Rupali Gaindh, Assistant Professor of Clinical Restorative Dentistry; Dr. Elizabeth Powell, Assistant Professor of Community Oral Health and Pediatric Dentistry; Dr. Myra Laird, Assistant Professor Department of Basic & Translational Sciences; and Dr. Yu Zhang, Professor, Division of Restorative Dentistry. Following the introduction and cloaking of each student, the ceremony concluded with the reciting of the Penn Dental Medicine Professional Pledge, led by Dr. Jessica Hilburg, Clinical Assistant Professor of Restorative Dentistry.

The white coat ceremony is part of student orientation that focuses on building strong connections between the incoming students and the network of faculty and staff who will support students throughout their time at Penn Dental Medicine.

View a video of our ceremony »