The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry into the dental profession with the presentation of the traditional doctors white coat at a ceremony Aug. 21 at Memorial Hall on UK's campus.
 
The College of Dentistry Alumni Association, American College of Dentistry and the International College of Dentistry sponsored the event, making it possible for each member of the class to receive a personalized monogrammed white coat.
 
Keynote speaker Stephanos Kyrkanides, dean of the College of Dentistry, charged the class of 2019 to reflect on this rite of passage and to "accept both the rights and the responsibilities that come with the role of a dental professional."
 
“We will help guide your steps for the next four years,” Kyrkanides said.  “…you will be well prepared to walk the professional path on your own thereafter when you constantly reflect on both the rights and the responsibilities of caring for the oral and thus the overall health of your patients.”
“The white coat ceremony was such an exciting and humbling experience. Some of us had been waiting only a year for it, and some of us had been waiting for three or more years for this night,” said class of 2019 President Taylor Blaylock. “Receiving our white coats really put it all in perspective—that we are officially on the way to becoming dentists.”
 
The College of Dentistry's class of 2019 is comprised of 31 males and 34 females, 43 of whom are from Kentucky. The college reviewed over 1,800 applications to select this year’s incoming students. Students are not only academically qualified, but also service-minded and passionate about dentistry.