Annual White Coat Ceremony Marks Dental Students Progress to Clinical Training Years
Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) students pose for a group photograph at the 8th Annual White Coat Ceremony hosted by the College of Oral Health Sciences (COLOHS), University of Technology, Jamaica on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, Papine Campus.
Dental Hygiene (DH) students pose for a group photograph at the 8th Annual White Coat Ceremony hosted by the College of Oral Health Sciences (COLOHS), University of Technology, Jamaica on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, Papine Campus.
Forty-five students of the College of Oral Health Sciences (COLOHS), University of Technology, Jamaica proudly donned their white coats, presented as a definitive symbol of their academic progression to the clinical training years in their studies in dental hygiene and medical dentistry. The ceremony, which was held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, Papine Campus, marked the progress of Year 2 students in the Bachelor of Dental Hygiene (DH) programme and Year 3 students in the Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) programme, into their respective specializations; moving from theoretical to clinical practice of dentistry.
Mrs. Kadion Dunkley-Johnson, Executive Assistant, College of Oral Health Sciences, who brought welcome on behalf of Dr. Mark Edwards, Dean, Joint Colleges of Medicine, Oral Health and Veterinary Sciences, congratulated the DH and DMD students on being presented with their white coats. Acknowledging that “no doubt you have made many sacrifices to be here, ” she urged the students to maintain key focus on their academic and professional goals, noting that “within a year or two, many of you present here today will join the pool of oral health professionals who will be making a big difference in your communities.”
Guest speaker, Dr Steve Pearlman, Clinical Professor of Paediatric Dentistry at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, drawing on comparisons to Jamaica’s motto “Out of many, One People”, charged students to be mindful of the obligations to their fellowmen. “This is a motto that is fitting for this class,” he reasoned, pointing out that they represent a select group out of many others who would wish to be in their place.
Dr. Pearlman noted that “while we recognize and celebrate that you are all individuals, all unique, all different and distinct, we hope that you will emerge as one people.” In that vein, he urged the students as they entered the honoured profession of dentistry, to “share a commitment, dedication and a resolve to treat all people with empathy, compassion and respect.” He also encouraged the students to wear their white coats with pride, as a “symbol marking dental physicians as men and women of science and pursuers of the truth.”
White coats for the DMD students were sponsored by Listerine, while Colgate sponsored white coats for DH students. Sponsors Kirk Distributors Limited provided refreshments.
The ceremony concluded with entertainment by students of the College of Oral Health Sciences.
Pictorial Highlights
Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) student Britney-Ann Sappleton (right) presents an appreciation gift to Dr. Steve Pearlman, Clinical Professor of Paediatric Dentistry, Boston University, following his address at the College of Oral Health Sciences 8th Annual White Coat Ceremony, held at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) student Marlon-Junior Williams (foreground) entertains his fellow students at the College of Oral Health Sciences 8th Annual White Coat Ceremony, held at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
Family and friends applaud DMD and DH students as they are presented with their white coats at the COLOHS 8th Annual White Coat Ceremony.
Dental Hygiene (DH) students (from left) Ashley Thompson, Aaron March and Jhenelle Simpson are all smiles during the COLOHS 8th Annual White Coat Ceremony held at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) and Dental Hygiene (DH) students participate in the recital of the Dental Hippocratic Oath during the College of Health Sciences 8th Annual White Coat Ceremony held at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm