White Coat Ceremony Inaugurates Incoming Dental Class
8/28/2007

Dean, Faculty welcome incoming dental class.
By Veronica Jauriqui

If there’s a dentistry gene, Monique Glosman has it.

Glosman is the latest in a line of Trojan dental students, following in the footsteps of older brother, Arthur, and father, Leonid.  She took her first official steps as member of the incoming class of 2011 on Wednesday, August 29, as part of the USC School of Dentistry’s White Coat Ceremony, sponsored by the Century Club, one of the school’s premiere support groups.

“Dentistry was second nature to me,” Monique Glosman says.  “It was something I was raised in and heard a lot about when my dad would come home from work or my brother was in dental school.  I have always liked working with my hands and I feel very comfortable in the profession.”

Glosman was joined by 143 of her fellow incoming doctoral dental freshmen, 32 members of the Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists, and the 37 dental hygiene students of the class of 2009.  The annual event, now in its eighth year, marks the beginning of their careers in dentistry as incoming students wear for the first time a visible symbol of the profession—the white coat.

Leonid Glosman, who attended the event, couldn’t have been more thrilled.  “I am proud.  Really, I am more than proud.  My son graduated from USC dental school and now to have my daughter go there means so much.  We are creating generations and generations of dental students from USC.”

Family and friends filled Bovard Auditorium in support and were greeted by opening remarks from USCSD Dean Harold Slavkin.

“This is one of my very favorite times of the year and it gives me enormous pleasure to extend my congratulations to the entering classes,” Slavkin says.  “The major idea at USC is that ethics and professionalism are the essential foundation of health care regardless and beyond the curriculum, the clinics and all of the involved patient care.”

Associate Student Body President and doctoral dental senior, Harjot Chawla asked each of the incoming students to stand and look around them, acknowledging the love and support of family and friends in attendance that have helped bring them here.

“Each of them has contributed to your success in their own special way,” Chawla said.  “They have stood behind you as they do today.  And lots of times, you will need their support more than ever.  The rigors of dental school will place demands not only on you, but on those close to you.”

The event ended with students pledging their commitment to professionalism and responsibility.  The oath recited by the incoming class acknowledges their public obligation to serve their patients with respect, integrity, kindness, and sympathy.

Robert Emigh DDS ’72, whose oldest son, Patrick, graduated from USCD in 2004, came in support of Todd, his second son to enter USC’s doctoral dental program.  “I am glad he’s doing it and I’m glad he wanted to do it,” Emigh said.

“I am stoked, this is awesome,” Todd Emigh said.  “I love the program and I can’t wait to get started.”

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