DCG Traditions and Rituals

This is an annual fall event, but The DCG puts our own spin on it. Events for family members of first-year students include tours, presentations and hands-on experiences in the dental simulation lab. This event, planned for our new students’ first semester, enables family members to visualize their child in our dental environment.

The DCG chapter of the Student National Dental Association hosts this event for prospective students interested in a dental career. Select high school students and college undergraduates spend a Saturday participating in mock interviews, tours and hands-on simulations. The Impressions Program allows potential students who think they might be interested in dentistry to experience a taste of the day-to-day professional life. It also serves as a recruiting opportunity for The DCG to connect with the best and brightest potential students. Click here to enjoy photos.

This summer ceremony for rising second-year students celebrates their role as patient-care providers with the provision of their first white coat. This ceremony is all about professionalism and ethical behavior, because the white coat ceremony is a symbol of students' entrance into the profession. Families attend to share in the milestone, and students recite and sign a copy of a dental pledge that they compose themselves. They will repeat this pledge at graduation three years later. 

This event, honoring graduating seniors, generally takes place on the same day as the university-wide commencement ceremony. This very special welcome-to-the-profession milestone moment is a special bonding and celebration time for students and faculty. During the ceremony, the students are led in by a faculty member they have chosen to receive the Judson C. Hickey Award, named in honor of the DCG founding dean. The award honors the faculty member senior students deem has been the most influential during their education. Students are hooded by the dean, or by a dental professional in their family, and clapped out by faculty. A reception follows. 

Members of the DCG community bring their inner hams to the stage to display their skills in areas including music, dance and comedy. The event has showcased instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers, even stand-up comedians. It is a fun method by which members of The DCG community can expand their knowledge and connections with their friends, colleagues, and mentors.