22 September 2025

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Students Share Why They Felt Drawn to Dentistry

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For incoming University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) students, the White Coat Ceremony is a time-honored tradition that recognizes their transition from preclinical course work to caring for patients. 

“To me, the white coat symbolizes an acceptance into a profession that demands a commitment to upholding its values and ethics,” said DDS student Marco Benitez. “To my family, it represents a shared milestone. I didn’t get this far on my own, so I hope they take as much pride in the achievement as I do.” 

Benitez is one of 120 CU SDM students who will receive their white coats on Friday, September 19, 2025: 80 in the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Class of 2029 and 40 in the Advanced Standing International Student Program (ISP) Class of 2026. 

The annual event is a momentous occasion in students’ dental education, with family, friends, faculty and staff gathering to celebrate their achievements and future careers. Not only do students walk across stage to receive their white coats, but they read the dental oath, pledging “to the service of humanity, my patients, my community, and my profession.” 

All of them have a special story about how they reached this pivotal moment. 

DDS Students Reflect on their Journeys

Life has come full circle for Siya Salunke. After years of watching her father practice dentistry in India, she saw him achieve his of dream of graduating from CU SDM’s ISP program in 2020. Now, as she begins her own dentistry studies at CU, Salunke hopes to follow a similar path.

Visiting her father’s dental practice, Siya Salunke discovered that restoring a smile can ”restore someone’s dignity and joy.”

“I have witnessed firsthand how much CU helped shape my father’s professional journey,” she said. “What’s especially inspiring is how much the school has grown and evolved in just a few short years since his graduation, with the integration of advanced technology to adapt to the real-world needs of dentistry.

Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Salunke moved with her family to Colorado’s Western Slope at age 16. She attended Colorado Mesa University, graduating with a degree in cellular, molecular and developmental biology. Dentistry appealed to her because it combines her love of both science and service.

“I was initially drawn in by the tangible impact oral health has on a person’s confidence and overall well-being,” Salunke said. “Since visiting my father’s dental practice in India as a child and shadowing and volunteering with dentists here, I saw how meaningful the patient-provider relationship can be—how restoring a smile can also restore someone’s dignity and joy.”

She considers her white coat to be both an honor and a responsibility, symbolizing the beginning of her journey and a promise to uphold integrity, empathy and excellence as a future healthcare provider. “It’s a powerful milestone that I will carry with humility, gratitude and purpose.”

Leading with Compassion

“Just as others have supported me along my journey, I hope to be a strong mentor for the next generation—someone who shows young people to believe in themselves and chase after those dreams that may seem out of reach, as long as they’re willing to work for them,” said Spencer Pankratz.

Like Salunke, he is following in his father’s footsteps as a dentist. “I watched my dad transform the lives of young patients—kids who walked in scared of the dentist and left with a sense of confidence after overcoming their fears.” 

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Pankratz grew up in Colorado and transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for his final three years of college. There, he played kicker for the Nebraska Huskers football team.

“Running out of the tunnel for the first time in Memorial Stadium was a moment I’ll never forget,” he said. “It made every transfer, every challenge and every sacrifice along the way worth it.”

Impressed by CU SDM’s dedication to service, Pankratz was especially intrigued by the Advanced Clinical Training and Service (ACTS) program, which enables fourth-year dental students to have extended rotations in surrounding community-based health clinics.

Earning his white coat is a reminder of the values his family instilled in him to “lead with compassion and a serving heart.”

From Dental Assisting to South America to DDS

Growing up in Tucson, Arizona, John Ramirez was raised in a welding and construction family for whom working with their hands was a way of life. Although he’s now learning how to use his hands for an entirely different purpose, he still taps into those skills.

Dentistry, Ramirez said, is “the perfect blend of hands-on work, medicine, service and work-life balance.”

After working as a dental assistant, John Ramirez decided to become a dentist through the MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program.

“After undergrad at the University of Central Arkansas, I worked as a dental assistant for a year and fell in love with all aspects of dentistry,” he said. “Then I gave two years of my life to serving impoverished communities in South America and discovered that service needed to be at the center of my future career."

He entered CU SDM through the MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program, which provides academic professional preparation and a pathway for underrepresented students. The program enables students to complete an M.S. in Modern Human Anatomy in their first year and transition into the DDS curriculum in the fall of their second year.

A new father who has lived in Colorado with his wife for the past several years, Ramirez was impressed by CU SDM’s commitment to serving local communities and working with cutting-edge dental technologies.

Earning his white coat symbolizes “the beginning of a long and fruitful career serving others through dentistry.”

Inspired by Braces

Taylor Rioux never imagined how much wearing braces would influence her future career choice. Over the years, the memory of that impactful experience stayed with her.

“The day they came off, I looked in the mirror and felt a wave of confidence I’d never experienced before,” she said. “I truly felt God putting it on my heart to help others feel that same confidence in their own smiles.”

Taylor Rioux will serve as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force for 10 years.  

Raised in Austin, Texas, Rioux is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate who competed as a Division 1 track and field athlete all four years of college. Sports and competition remain her passion.

“There’s nothing like being surrounded by a team—sharing the highs, pushing through the challenges and just having fun together,” she said.

She also enjoys family time, being outdoors in the sun, trying new things and eating good food.

Rioux was attracted to the family culture of CU and the way students interact with each other and faculty. The opportunity to help underserved communities through the ACTS program also appealed.

Earning her white coat is a “dream come true” for Rioux. After graduating from dental school, she will serve 10 years in the Air Force where she hopes to improve the perception of healthcare in the military.

A Commitment to Veterans

As a U.S. Army veteran, Marco Benitez hopes to one day work with the local Veterans Affairs dental clinic to give back to that community. He earned his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University where he was commissioned as an Army officer.

After his service, Benitez worked in program management for Amazon before completing his dental prerequisites at Florida International University.

“Dentistry sits in the sweet spot for a lot of my top priorities,” he said. “I am nothing if not a problem solver, so having the opportunity to start my own practice where I get to directly interact with patients daily and address their issues is a major draw. The field itself is quite diverse, with work ranging from cosmetics to life-saving treatments.”

Having had a long-time interest in cancer biology and prosthetics, Benitez jumped at the chance to start his studies early by enrolling in CU SDM’s Summer Research Scholarship Program. It enabled him to work in the lab of Professor Jeffrey Stansbury, PhD, senior associate dean for research.

Benitez is also passionate about travel, nature and volunteering. “Few things put a smile on my face like getting to see the result of a service project that benefits the community, especially the underserved.”

ISP Class of 2026: A Celebration of Perspectives

Born and raised in India, Navna Gupta said she feels proud and humbled to represent the self-described, “special spice” of her country’s culture and heritage as she prepares to receive her white coat.

 “Dentistry is the right profession for people who want to work hard and make a place for themselves in society,” said Gupta. “Plus, bringing a smile to people’s face is really cool.” 

The Advanced Standing International Student Program (ISP) enables dentists who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States to earn a DDS degree through a two-year-accelerated program. They may take any state or regional board, making them eligible for licensure to practice in the U.S.

Gupta is working toward her master’s degree in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. She was a dentist in India and also served as a CU SDM assistant professor before enrolling in the ISP. She aspires to serve her patients and become a top orthodontic resident with an outstanding CV.

“Our school brings out the best among dental students and motivates excellent research,” she said. “The university made me see myself in a different light all together.”

Earning her white coat represents a sense of accomplishment, validation for all the long hours and “an homage to the greatness of this profession.”

Gupta considers it a privilege to be part of the ISP’s league of dentists.

“Many of us have bled our hearts dry to reach here,” she said. “So, congratulations to all who are beginning this journey, and savor every second of it.”

A Vow to Serve with Purpose and Heart

When Bode Omoleke was growing up in Nigeria, he heard the tale of the tooth fairy who lived on rooftops and would only replace a lost baby tooth if it were properly offered. The story stayed with him and planted the seeds of his curiosity about oral health.

“Over time, that childhood wonder evolved into a genuine interest in the science, art and impact of dentistry,” said Omoleke. “I chose dentistry because it allows me to shape smiles and lives with my hands.”

After leaving Nigeria, Omoleke moved to Canada where he worked as a dental assistant and volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross, an experience that reinforced his commitment to compassionate care. Married with two children, he loves their curiosity, which reminds him to stay present and playful. He also enjoys good food, road trips and making meaningful connections.

Omoleke chose CU SDM for its person-centered, technology-integration approach.

“What truly distinguishes CU, though, is its people,” he said. “From the beginning, I was welcomed into a learning community defined by warmth, encouragement and collaboration, and I feel fortunate to learn alongside classmates who are not only intellectually gifted but also compassionate and supportive.”

Omoleke considers his white coat to be more than a garment. It’s also “a vow to serve with purpose and heart.” To him, the white coat ceremony is a celebration of every mentor, patient, friend and family member who has been part of his journey.

“I carry their hopes with me as I step into this next chapter,” he said.

U.S. Respect for the Dental Profession

In her home country of Brazil, Erika Di Francesco noticed that both dentistry and aging professionals didn’t always receive the recognition they deserved. In the U.S., she happily discovered that’s not the case.

“I am inspired by a culture that values and respects dental professionals in ways I had not imagined,” she said. “Being surrounded by community that appreciates the contributions of seasoned professionals motivates me to continue growing and giving back.”

 Di Francesco vividly recalls the day she decided to become a dentist. Getting braces as a child, she became fascinated with the instruments and materials involved. The treatment’s transformative effect on her smile, life and self-esteem made her want to have the same positive impact on others.

 She earned her dental degree and completed her orthodontics residency in São Paulo, Brazil, where she had a thriving private practice. Still, she was intrigued by all that the ISP and U.S. had to offer to her and her children.

“I was driven by the ISP’s high quality and friendly environment that warmly welcomes students from diverse backgrounds,” she said. “Its commitment to excellence and inclusivity resonated with my professional aspirations and personal values.”

Di Francesco’s son is a pre-med student at the Community College of Denver (CCD). He also volunteers and conducts research at CU. Her daughter is preparing to enter the dental hygiene program at CCD.

“Earning my white coat is more than the realization of a dream,” she added. “It’s a testament to the hard work that brought me here, and mainly it serves as an example to my children that with a plan and consistency, any goal is attainable.”

This year’s White Coat Ceremony will be held at Boettcher Commons on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus on Friday, September 19 at 10 a.m. It will be livestreamed, with a recording available afterward.

CU SDM Associate Dean for Admissions, Student and Alumni Affairs Rick Mediavilla, DDS FAGD, noted that the White Coat Ceremony marks students’ transition from a didactic student to a clinical provider. In addition to being important to students and faculty, it’s especially meaningful for family and friends. “The white coat is a symbol of their sacrifices and support that have contributed to students’ achievements,” he said.

Author: Carrie Printz
Source: https://news.cuanschutz.edu/