What do 140 smiles look like? If you were at the School of Dentistry on Friday, you could see for yourself.
After three days of orientation, the school’s newest students were able to unwind together at lunch, and then pose for class pictures and enjoy an ice cream social. Several members of the 109-student DDS Class of 2023 and 31-student DH Class of 2021 said all the information conveyed had them feeling much better prepared for classes to start next week.
“The amount of information was almost overwhelming,” said Carlie Slover, a member of the DS Class of 2021. “But all the speakers and staff have been really nice. Everyone Is so helpful and really seems to care about us.”
Her classmate Addison Cornett agreed that the sessions had presented a lot of information to absorb, but that all the support made her feel “It will be OK.”
Sessions on Wednesday and Thursday had already covered many areas, from curriculum and support services to making sure students’ smartphones, laptops and other digital devices were synched up to the school’s systems. Friday sessions added thoughts from Dean Marsha Pyle, DDS, MEd, panel discussions by DH and DDS faculty, and an overview of clinical dentistry by Dr. Brett Ferguson, chair of the Departments of Hospital Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Morgan Engelbrecht from St. James, Missouri, DDS Class of 2023, said, “Dr. Ferguson’s session was a highlight. It was great to hear about what we have to look forward to, and about the specialties in dentistry.”
Classmate Ryan Poertner from Blue Springs, Missouri, also said Dr. Ferguson’s presentation was impressive, along with a faculty panel that “fielded a lot of questions and gave us helpful answers.”
Nate Gamache from Ferguson, Kansas, summed up: “The sessions were well paced, with variety and a lot of useful information.”
Besides conveying three days’ worth of information, orientation also settled some butterflies.
Slover moved from Springfield “because I wanted my B.S. degree, and UMKC has the best dental hygiene program in the region.” Being in a new city, she said, meant orientation’s get-acquainted activities were particularly helpful and welcoming for her. She also has housing close to the school, “and I have a roommate who is in the program, which I wanted.”
“I have a heart for helping people, and as a hygienist I’ll be able to help people smile and have confidence,” Slover said.
Cornett, who is from Kansas City, expressed a similar desire to help others do and be their best.
“I’ve wanted a career in health care my whole life,” she said. “I chose dental hygiene because it’s so important for your health and for being able to achieve what you want. And I chose UMKC because I kept hearing good recommendations for this program. I’m excited for classes to start.”
Orientation photos from Friday’s events.