New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation (NSO) occurs in the summer prior to the start of every incoming dental class. This is a mandatory three-day event with the goal of creating the student’s familiarity with TTUHSC regulations and academic standards, acquaint students with their classmates, faculty members, and staff, and to become familiar with institutional members that will help students succeed. 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.
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.
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).
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, the 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.
Dental Olympics
The Dental Olympics is an annual tradition involving all Texas dental schools. Representatives from each school work together to organize the event, which rotates between different Texas schools each year. Students travel to the host school, where they have the opportunity to connect with peers from other institutions. The event kicks off with an opening ceremony on Friday night, followed by a full day of Olympic-style competitions on Saturday. Various sports are played throughout the day, fostering interaction and camaraderie among dental students from across the state.
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