25 August 2026

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White coats: Symbols of new students’ commitments

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They studied hard and aced their entrance exams and interviews to gain admission to dental school or the dental hygiene program.

Community impact

White coats mark entry into the clinical phase of dental education. Each is a symbol of the commitment a student promises to the dental profession and a pledge to provide the highest standards of oral health and patient care.

The white coat represents core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service. Dr. Lily T. García, dean and 1984 alumna of then-Baylor College of Dentistry, said donning the white coat means they accept the responsibility that comes with being a healthcare provider.

As we look back at the important day in students’ lives and careers, first-year dental students Marly Hanna and Maha Achour share what drew them to dentistry and what they hope to accomplish. Both accounts were lightly edited for length and clarity.

Why it matters

Marly Hanna is a 2026 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with bachelor’s degrees in both neuroscience and Arabic .

My family is from Egypt. Growing up, financial barriers made dental care difficult to access. As a child with crooked teeth, I actually tried to make my own braces with Rainbow Loom elastics because of how much I wanted to feel confident in my smile. Looking back, it was certainly not the right solution, but it revealed to me that I love being creative and finding tangible ways to solve problems.

As I do not have any healthcare professionals in my family, pursuing a career in dentistry initially felt intimidating. However, when I later shadowed dentists in both the U.S. and Egypt, I recognized how dentistry brings together so many parts of who I am. It allows me to combine the artistry of working with my hands with the science and precision of problem-solving, all while building genuine relationships with the people I serve.

What makes dentistry stand out to me is that the relationship does not end when a procedure is complete. I have always found joy in mentoring and teaching others, and I love that dentists have the gift to educate patients, earn their trust, and empower them to take ownership of their oral health.

Academic context

Having experienced what it feels like for dental care to be out of reach, I hope to help patients understand the importance of their oral health and feel confident and supported in caring for it.

I chose Texas A&M because it is a community that genuinely invests in its students and creates an environment where they are set up to thrive. Supportive communities make all the difference in one’s educational journey, and I am excited to learn alongside peers who celebrate each other’s successes and push one another to become the best clinicians.

Over the next few years, I hope to contribute to the community around me, both through care and service. While treating my future patients, I hope I can also educate them about prevention while advocating for those who face barriers to oral healthcare. Ultimately, I aspire to use what I learn at A&M Dentistry to serve communities in Dallas and, one day, give back to my home country, Egypt.

Maha Achour is a 2025 graduate of Oklahoma State University. She earned a bachelor’s in biochemistry and molecular biology and has minors in microbiology and French .

Wearing my white coat reminded me that becoming a clinician is only one part of the dentist I hope to become. I hope to use the skills I gain at A&M Dentistry to be the best educator, advocate, and source of support I can be for my future patients.

As part of a first-gen immigrant family, I spent most of my childhood being taught about the importance of service and became an avid volunteer in whatever capacity I could find – tutoring, food banks, non-profits, etc. It wasn’t until I got to middle school that I realized my intense passion for the sciences and discovery. I started with mini science experiments at home and ended up even competing in international STEM competitions as I got older. The idea of working in healthcare from then on just felt so natural and inevitable.

There are two main reasons for my interest in dentistry. First, I love the theory, significance, and artistry associated with it. Just like research, dentistry allows you to be both creative and efficient with your work — and it provides almost immediate relief and comfort to your patient. It is also an extremely vast field of science, with new technologies and connections to systemic health still to be discovered.

The second, and perhaps more personal, reason why I love dentistry so much is related to my background. I was born in a small rural town in Tunisia, North Africa. There, oral hygiene is extremely limited…and tracing back to my parents’ generation, it was absolutely unheard of. The majority of people there suffer conditions/diseases stemming from poor oral health without even the hope of obtaining access to proper treatment. I saw the difference firsthand when we moved to the States, and my father had to undergo a multitude of procedures to try and repair the damage caused over the years.

My ultimate goal is to introduce this beautiful branch of healthcare to my home country by opening various rural clinics. That’s the most genuine and raw form of service that I believe I can provide.

I can only hope and work toward being a knowledgeable, attentive, and competent dental student — and expand/deepen my love and interest in the profession of dentistry. I hope to have a clearer and well-informed understanding of the various branches of dentistry (theoretical and by experience) and to build strong and long-lasting connections with my peers and faculty.

Source: https://insights.dentistry.tamu.edu/white-coats-symbols-of-new-students-commitments