Welcome to the profession

Dental students in their new white coats recite the dental pledge.

The traditional ceremony that marks the start of each dental and dental hygiene student’s academic journey, Welcome to the Profession, was paused in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was remedied on Aug. 20 when the School of Dentistry recognized its classes of 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 at the Henry B. González Convention Center.

Doctor of Dental Surgery candidates were given a UT Health San Antonio-branded white coat, representing their responsibility as health care providers, while students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene were given branded scrubs.

The Henry B. González Convention Center was filled nearly to its 3,000-seat capacity with family, friends, faculty and administrators who celebrated the accomplishments of the 363 students.

A group of dental hygiene students huddle together smiling in their new UT Health San Antonio-branded scrub jackets.

Three male dental students stand together smiling dressed in white button-up dress shirts and ties.


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In the 2022 issue of Salute

Salute is the official magazine for the alumni and friends of the School of Dentistry at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Read and share inspiring stories highlighting our dental alumni, faculty and students who are revolutionizing education, research, patient care and critical services in the communities they serve.

View the 2022 issue

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