03 February 2025

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White Coat Ceremony Welcomes New Class of Foreign Trained Dentists to Penn Dental Medicine

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Penn Dental Medicine welcomed 38 foreign-trained dentists to the study of dental medicine as part of the DMD Class of 2027 with its White Coat Ceremony, held January 8 at Penn Dental Medicine. This annual tradition holds symbolic significance for members of incoming classes 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 reminder of the responsibility and trust they will have with their patients,” says Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, Dr. Mark Wolff. “It’s always an exciting time to welcome a new group of students as they join the Penn Dental Medicine community.”

This cohort of Program for Advanced Standing (PASS) students is made up 25 women and  13 men, representing 13 different countries. Designed for graduates of non-U.S. dental schools who want to practice dentistry in the United States, the two-and-a-half-year PASS program leads to a DMD degree, enabling internationally-trained dentists to take licensing exams in any state. Upon matriculation in January, PASS students join the School’s second-year class of DMD students, participating in the entire curriculum.

Dr. Uri Hangorsky, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, served as Master of Ceremonies at the White Coat celebration with the program including a welcome by Dr. Hangorsky and remarks from Dean Wolff. Students were cloaked in their white coats by members of the faculty and staff. Following the introduction and cloaking of each student, the ceremony concluded with the reciting of the Penn Dental Medicine Professional Pledge.

Source: https://www.dental.upenn.edu/