New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation occurs in the summer prior to the start of every incoming dental class. Dental students will be in combined spaces with incoming medical students as students from both schools will be sharing some of the same curriculum for their first two years at TTUHSC El Paso. Spaces for each individual school will also be a large part of NSO as students begin their journey at the WLHSDM. NSO is a time for dental students to learn beyond what is written in the student Affairs handbook and see how different individuals and departments can help them along the way in their education.
*The following events may be modified due to COVID-19.
White Coat Ceremony
The White Coat Ceremony signifies a milestone for dental students and a promise to uphold their profession by “taking care of” patients while also “caring for” patients. Mirroring medicine, doctors of dental medicine should “care” as well as “cure.”
Students are welcomed into the dental profession by their Dean, leadership, faculty, community dentists, and fellow classmates followed by being “cloaked” with their white coat. The White Coat Ceremony is the first major event for dental students as they begin their journey. The ceremony stresses the importance of a student’s new-found responsibility to not only care for themselves but also their patients. Family and friends are invited to this event. (See note above regarding COVID- 19).
Dental Olympics
The Dental Olympics is a traditional event held yearly where all Texas dental schools participate. With the Student Council of each school coordinating the event together, students from each school travel to one of the Texas schools and connect with students from other schools. Each year the school in which they all visit, changes. There would be an opening ceremony the Friday night and Saturday would be the day of the Olympics. Various sports are played throughout the event as it really is a time for dental students from across the state to interact with one another. (See note above regarding COVID-19).
Commencement
Beginning in 2025, each May our dental students, families, friends, and alumni in future years will join with the El Paso community to proudly celebrate a class of graduates who are competent, caring, compassionate, and innovative in their delivery of person-centered oral health care. (See note above regarding COVID-19).
Collection of Student Information: Prior to commencement, WLHSDM along with the TTUHSC El Paso Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) will be collecting personal information from students such as preferred personal email addresses, cell phone numbers, and home addresses to keep in touch as students become alumni. This will help in ensuring a greater TTUHSC El Paso community.
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