After an unprecedented year, the arrival of 35 new Doctor of Dental Medicine students on campus last week came with joy and excitement as well as added health precautions to assure a safe and welcoming environment.
“Introduction to the Profession” orientation week kicked off on Monday, August 2, beneath a tent on the Harvard Medical School (HMS) Quad. Dental and medical students, sitting in chairs spaced six feet apart, were welcomed by the deans of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) HMS.
Throughout the week, the students participated in activities to get to know their classmates and what to expect in their first year. They experienced their first patient clinic and had the chance to try on their white coats. They were also introduced to their academic societies where they will collaborate in smaller student groups with faculty advisors.
“After talking to a number of my classmates and learning about their path to medicine or dentistry, I feel inspired, motivated, and supported, so I know I made the right choice to come here,” said Adam Yang, DMD25, who came to HSDM from southern California.
The dental students will spend the first year of their education immersed in the medical school curriculum learning alongside their medical school classmates.
The week culminated with not one, but two, White Coat Ceremonies. On Thursday, August 5, the Class of 2024, who did not have an in-person ceremony last year due to COVID restrictions, celebrated with a “White Coat 2.0” ceremony held on the Quad. The Class of 2025 then had their chance to take the stage on Friday, August 6. Wearing their white coats, they each introduced themselves in front of their classmates and a virtual audience of friends and family watching via livestream. The deans of both schools shared advice and accolades with the new students.