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manda Hughart wanted to be a dentist since she was a little girl in Big Chimney, W.Va. “Other kids were playing house,” Hughart said. “I was playing dentist.” The traditional ceremony that she attended at the end of two days of newstudent orientation at WVU’s School of Dentistry helped her realize that her dream was becoming a reality. The heart of the ceremony is the “Pledge of Professionalism” recited in unison by the incoming class. Each student is given a personalized pen to commemorate the occasion. One by one, students’ names are called, and they walk to the stage to sign a registry book, verifying their commitment to the professional standards of the school. “It’s a surreal, emotional experience,” said Wes Howard, a second-year dental student from Fayetteville, W.Va. “It was the beginning of the rest of our lives, as far as our professional careers go, especially signing the book and keeping the pen. For me, things like that mean a lot.”
Howard, who decided to attend dental The students know there is plenty school when he began his undergraduate of work to do before their time in work at WVU, described the ceremony dental school is finished. But with this as a triumph. “We spent so much time ceremony, they know the journey has in undergrad trying to get good grades, begun; they know what they have to do, write the essays, and go through the the expectations they must fulfill. interviews and the whole process,” he said. “Then, when you’re sitting in front “We use the occasion to underscore the principles of professionalism,” said Dr. of the podium hearing Dr. Price, it just Price. “They’re representing the school sort of brings everything into focus. and the dental profession at all times This made it real.” even when they’re attending a public Shelia Price, DDS, associate dean for event or out in the community. They admissions, recruitment, and access, represent everything that the School of said that the professionalism assembly Dentistry stands for and everything that is the cornerstone for the long-awaited the profession stands for.” start to their dental education. Price said that for some of the parents, “We flash their names and their this is the first time they have visited hometowns on the screen as they come the dental school and interacted with forward,” she said. “They’re in the faculty. Touring the school, attending spotlight. It’s a red carpet moment.” the assembly, and joining in the alumni association-sponsored reception That was certainly true for Hughart, afterward allows families to “really who is now finishing her first year of sense the faculty’s commitment to the dental study. “The professionalism students and to share in the celebration assembly really makes you feel like of our welcoming them.” you’re a part of something,” she said. “You’re not just a regular student anymore. You’re the best of the best, and this is your first step in.”
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