VCU School of Dentistry Celebrates 2011 White Coat Ceremony

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry recently celebrated its annual White Coat Ceremony, in which dental and dental hygiene students marked the beginning of their entry to patient care.

This month, 95 dental students and 33 dental hygiene students received their white coats.

The ceremony is symbolic within the health care profession. The presentation of the student’s white coat indicates they have accepted the serious responsibility for patient care and dedication to the profession. It also denotes the students’ transition from solely classroom and laboratory activities to patient care activities.

"The VCU School of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony is a great tradition and symbolizes the transition of dental and dental hygiene students to oral health professionals," said David Sarrett, D.M.D., dean of the VCU School of Dentistry. "Donning a white coat brings with it a great responsibility to human health by pledging to always put our patients' needs ahead of our own needs."

The VCU School of Dentistry has been celebrating the White Coat Ceremony since 1999.