UAB’s D.M.D. Class of 2027 marks a milestone with family, faculty, and a shared commitment to care

Class of 2027 Student Leadership Group at White Coat Ceremony (Top Row Left-To-Right: Emmanuel Williams, Brandon Agsalud, Dean Triantos, Brady Tuten, Patterson White / Bottom Row Left-To-Right: Susannah Kendrick, Vivian Le, Courtney DeVera, Macey Neal, Kristin Shearer)The D.M.D. Class of 2027 at the UAB School of Dentistry brought their families into the building on August 2 – literally and figuratively. Family Day gave the third-year students a chance to guide their guests through the clinics and labs where they’ve spent the last two years learning the ropes. Sharing more than just the physical space, they invited their families into their world.

This year’s event, coordinated by the SOD Student Government Association (SGA), was one of the largest Family Days in school history, showing just how close-knit the class is and how well-supported they are.

SGA president Vivian Le said, “Family Day was such a meaningful way to connect with my loved ones and give them a glimpse into what dental school life is really like. It reminded me how lucky I am to have their support every step of the way.”

One highlight was the Preclinical Dentistry Lab, known as PCD, where families got a hands-on look at the tools and techniques students use to build and maintain their hand skills for clinical practice. The lab sparked plenty of “so this is where it happens” moments.

Ashlyn Boyd (D3) and her family in the PCD Lab during Family Day.Among the many personal experiences shared, some stood out for their depth and meaning.

Susannah Kendrick’s connection to UAB Dentistry runs deep. As a third-generation student, she walked the halls with her family on Family Day, retracing steps her father and grandfather once took. But this milestone wasn’t about legacy alone. Kendrick is drawn to the hands-on nature of dentistry and the opportunity to make a lasting impact, motivated by purpose and a clear sense of direction.

The day culminated in the White Coat Ceremony, marking the students’ official entry into clinical care. The coats themselves were gifted by the SOD Alumni Association, reflecting the alumni’s continued investment in the next generation of dentists.

Faculty members coated the students in a tradition that reflects UAB’s culture of mentorship and collegiality, welcoming each one with a handshake and heartfelt support. The moment marked the transition from student to student dentist, and reinforced the shared nature of learning and faculty support behind them.

Among the students stepping into clinical care is Caris Smith, a D.M.D./Ph.D. dual-degree student whose research explores how oral bacteria interact with the immune system. His path reflects the many ways students prepare to serve through research, hands-on experience, and a strong sense of purpose. No two journeys are the same, and Smith’s story is one example of how UAB students bring unique perspectives to both science and service.

D3 students posing together for a selfie group photo at 2025 White Coat CeremonyDean Nico Geurs helped bring that commitment into focus in his remarks, reminding students that their education at UAB is built not only on skill, but on character. “We don’t just teach dentistry at UAB,” he said. “We teach compassion and professionalism.” He described the white coat as a symbol of trust, a sign of the responsibility each student carries into patient care and the legacy they now continue.

Le reflected on the experience, saying that seeing her classmates receive their coats was an amazing moment, one that highlighted just how special the milestone was for the entire class. The pride and excitement in the room, she said, was a reminder that they’re all in it together, cheering each other on as they take on whatever comes next.

It was, in every sense, a good day to get coated.

Class President Dean Triantos captured the spirit of the day with heartfelt reflections on the classmates he now considers his closest friends. Surrounded by loved ones and united by purpose, he said, “The care, love, and commitment that each individual in that auditorium had to one another is beyond special and it is something that I hope everyone there holds close to their hearts for their life to come. I look forward to the next two challenging years with these amazing individuals I get to call my friends.”

From their earliest days in simulation labs to the moment they donned their white coats, the Class of 2027 has grown together in purpose and in skill. With faculty and families behind them and coats on their shoulders, they are stepping into the clinic and beginning the next chapter of their journey in dentistry. They’ve earned this moment through long hours, steady hands, and the kind of learning that sticks.

See more highlights from the day: Family Day White Coat Ceremony