During the ceremony, Linda Niessen, DMD, KCU-CDM dean and vice provost of oral health affairs, reminded students that their journey is just beginning, but the impact they will make is profound. “In four short years, as graduating dentists, you will develop the knowledge, skills and critical thinking that can relieve pain, improve quality of life functions like chewing and smiling, prevent chronic illness and ultimately save lives. This transformative journey starts today with your white coat ceremony.” She encouraged students to lean on each other, listen to their mentors and rely on the support of family as they take on the challenges ahead.
Keynote speaker Ron Inge, DDS, chief strategy officer at 32Health, shared lessons from his own path in dentistry and offered encouragement as students begin theirs. “I graduated with a purpose and mission: Help others by improving their oral health and their overall health,” Inge said. “This has carried me throughout my career as a dentist.” He emphasized that success in dentistry requires more than technical skills; it also demands integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing for the patient.
Speaking to the incoming class as someone who has been in their shoes, third-year dental student Alexon Tiem described dental school as both a challenge and an opportunity for growth. “Growth isn’t just learning to take care and ‘fix’ someone’s pain. Growth is about learning the true meaning of being present and truly learning what it means to care. That takes more than knowledge out of a textbook. That takes character,” he remarked. “The version of you standing here today is more than enough. But the version of you that walks across the stage in four years? They’ll be someone extraordinary.”
One by one, students walked across the stage to introduce themselves and accept their white coats — a visible symbol of the trust placed in them and the responsibility they now carry. The ceremony concluded with the students reciting the Dental Medicine Oath and their class creed.
Nearly all counties within 125 miles of Joplin are considered Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, with fewer dentists per person than much of the country. The need is urgent, especially in rural and underserved communities. In the years ahead, their training at KCU will prepare them to bring lasting change to the communities that need them most. Congratulations to the Class of 2029 as they take their first steps into the dental profession!
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