What Happens After GSDM’s White Coat Ceremony? Students, Faculty, and Staff Share Advice for Incoming Clinical Students
GSDM White Coat Ceremony 2022
While an outsider may not view a white coat as a life-changing article of attire, within the dental profession, the white coat is a universally recognized symbol of professionalism and experience.
GSDM students receive their white coats at the half-way point of their dental school experience. This event celebrates students’ entrance into the Patient Treatment Center, where they will be applying their classroom learning to the care of real patients.
On Friday, July 7, the DMD Class of 2025 and the DMD Advanced Standing Class of 2024 will celebrate this milestone at the school’s annual White Coat Ceremony.
We spoke with recently graduated DMD AS 23 students, DMD 24 students, faculty, and staff about the advice they want to give to the members of the DMD Class of 2025 and the DMD AS Class of 2024 as they enter this new era of their GSDM experience.
Paula Aspinwall-Rezende DMD 23
“Understand that this transition will not be completed in a day. Not even a week. Maybe it takes months for you to adapt to the routine of all the procedures and the clinic, and that’s okay. Take your time to breathe and understand you are not a machine. You are a very capable human being, and you need time to learn. Mistakes will happen and they are your biggest opportunities – learn from them.”
Dr. Paul Avolese Clinical Assistant Professor and Group Practice Leader 8
“Your duty is to be well prepared for your patient’s appointment. Know them, read the entire chart, come early to clinic, and be prepared with a properly signed treatment plan. Have treatments sequenced by your group practice leader and general supervising faculty. Have well done models that you are proud to show available at the appointment.”
Swati Gupta DMD 23
“My advice to all of you during those long lab nights or scary summative exam days would be to remember that one reason of why you wanted to be a dentist and things will get easier. The struggle will be worth it in the end although the journey of trying to excel will never end.”
Dr. Erin Breen DMD 15 CAMED 08 Clinical Assistant Professor
“Learn and work with as many clinical faculty as possible. Each faculty brings their own unique clinical experience and perspective which are valuable resources during your clinical training.”
Ahmed Baioumy DMD 23
“Every session in the Patient Treatment Center is three-hour long. You might think that this is plenty of time. Given the fact that it might be your first time performing certain dental procedures, and the multiple checks that your general supervising faculty must do, you really need to consider timing yourself to be able to finish on time. It is all about time management.”
Trang Rolles Assistant Director of Administrative Actions
“Positive attitude and knowing how to communicate with respect and courtesy with staff, faculty, and peers will help you go a long way with your career. You never know when you need to reconnect with the dental community.”
Dr. Dayana Escobar Clinical Assistant Professor
“Be proactive with a positive attitude and desire to learn.”
Spencer Joseph Clinical Care Supervisor (Sixth Floor)
“The front desk staff are friendly and want to help you succeed. We enjoy being able to converse with you and hopefully build professional and meaningful relationships with you all.”
Kayvon Baradar DMD 24
“Do not hesitate to ask questions or seek guidance from faculty. The more you ask, the more you’ll learn. [Also] don’t be afraid of reaching out to DMD 24 students for other tips and tricks! We were just in your shoes, each with our own unique perspective and words of wisdom that we are more than willing to share.”
