After serving in the United States Air Force as a pilot for eight years, Rachel Myers wanted to continue to help people and the public, but on a more personal level where she could improve their well-being. "I love that after one visit to the dental office, a patient’s day and life is better," she said. "I’m also excited to be able to use my hands in an artistic way for my job. Also… teeth are cool!"
Myers is one of 120 students at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) who earned their white coats on Friday, September 20, 2024: Eighty in the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Class of 2028, and 40 in the Advanced Standing International Student Program (ISP) Class of 2025.
The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage, signifying the transition from student to patient care providers. Some students have dreamt of this moment since they were young, and others found their path to dentistry later in life. Regardless, it is a momentous occasion for the students as well as the families, friends, faculty and staff who make up their support system.
As a wife and a new mom, Myers likes that a dental career with allow her to be present with her family while excelling in her work, rather than being gone like she was as a pilot. Originally from Mount Airy, Maryland, her time in the Air Force provided her the opportunity to travel around the world. Now in Colorado, she loves the mountains, the weather, the food and the people. "Having the ability to go for a run from my house and have unlimited trail options, all with stellar views, is so great."
The mountains are calling
Woohyeok Kwon, BDS, also loves Colorado's mountainous terrain. He said, "It reminds me of home, and makes me feel connected to my family." Kwon is originally from Seoul, South Korea.
Growing up in a family with two dentists, he was naturally exposed to the dental field from an early age. He said, "This experience, combined with my aspiration to work internationally as a healthcare professional, made dentistry the perfect fit for my dreams." He worked diligently toward that dream and earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS).
Before coming to the U.S., Kwon fulfilled his mandatory military service in Korea. "Transitioning from a dentist to a soldier gave me a new perspective on the world," he said. "Now, as I shift back to dentistry in a different environment, I am confident that this experience will once again contribute to my personal growth."
His goal now after earning his DDS is to visit every state in the U.S.
My happy place
When Menna Aly, BDS, was 12 years old, she fell and broke her front tooth while playing basketball. At the time, her neighbor was a dental student, so she was able to fix the tooth. Aly remembers she did not feel any pain. She said, "Since then, the dental clinic is one of my happy places!" And it sparked her passion for the dental profession.
Aly grew up in Cairo, Egypt, where she also studied and completed her first dental degree. She decided to move to the U.S. to earn her DDS. She said, "Since I came to Colorado, hiking became my new weekly habit. I enjoy exploring new destinations and each of them is breathtaking!"
With a genuine interest in people and a knack for making others feel comfortable and valued, Aly said, "I naturally love bringing positive energy to social situations and enjoy creating memorable experiences for those around me!"
A pathway to pursue a passion
"Good oral healthcare improves the quality of life for all people," Demetrius Jelks said. "Think about an important work meeting, a casual conversation, laughing with your friends, or even a first date. Great oral healthcare is important in life's smallest moments." That's why his passion for dentistry stems from a passion for healthcare and people.
Jelks matriculated into the DDS program through the Modern Human Anatomy (MHA) Pathway to Dentistry Program. He chose this program because it prepared him to have the stamina to perform at a professional level before entering dental school. "During my time in the MHA program, I was able to master anatomical subdisciplines while networking with campus faculty and staff, participating in graduate level research, and getting a feel of dental anatomy in hand-skill courses. Thanks to the MHA Pathway to Dentistry curriculum, I feel extremely comfortable in my first year of dental school in both my didactic and laboratory courses."
Jelks encourages students interested in dentistry but wanting to improve their academic habits to participate in this rigorous but rewarding pathway program.
Outside of dentistry, Jelks is an avid photographer. "Capturing life's smallest moments gives me a medium to store and share memories," he said. "If it's the sunrises on morning hikes, or the vibrance of the city on a late night; I love when I am able to capture life's moments."
Dancing through life
Eirini Boutiou, DDS, learned to dance before she could walk. She started ballet at three years old in Thessaloniki, Greece, where she later attended dental school. When she moved to the U.S., she lived in Tennessee and Connecticut, where she also completed her Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency. She still dances in her free time, mostly in Latin styles.
As a teenager, Boutiou was bullied for having imperfect teeth. Her parents took her to see an orthodontist at age 12. She said, "Going through a four-year-long orthodontic treatment was not easy. I was bullied at school because of my braces. It really impacted and made me struggle in school and in extracurricular activities."
When the braces were taken off, she realized the importance of the dentist's work. "I was so happy with the outcome that I could not stop smiling the whole time," she said. "As the university entrance exams were approaching by the time I had finished my orthodontic treatment, I knew I had found my true calling not only in dentistry but also in pediatric dentistry."
Now in Colorado, Boutiou has fallen in love with the sky and sunsets over the mountains. She is eager to practice in the U.S. after graduation—and to continue dancing alongside dentistry.
From dispensary to DDS
Last year, Colorado native Tristan Doan was working in the dispensary at the CU SDM, and now he's a first-year student in the DDS program. He said, "On a simple level, I chose dentistry because I truly believe it’s the coolest profession. When I imagine myself practicing one day, the world fades away. It’s just me and the person in front of me. I'm doing my best to create a smile that fits perfectly into their life."
On a deeper level, Doan said dentistry aligns with the person he aspires to become. "I want to be known as an exceptional communicator, and dentistry challenges me to listen carefully and understand patients holistically. This skill strengthens my relationships with patients and makes me more present in my conversations with friends and family."
Being family-orientated is important to Doan; It is his goal to be part of a community as a dental provider and build a strong family of his own one day.
Outside of dentistry, he loves listening to jazz and classical music. He played the trumpet for 10 years and occasionally picks it up when he needs a break from the demanding dental school curriculum.
The White Coat Ceremony is one of many milestones in a dentist's education and career. Historically, the white coat represented purity and trustworthiness in healthcare professions. For dental students, it embodies the standards and ideals set forth in the dental oath, wherein students pledge themselves to the service of humanity, their patients, their community, and the profession.
Congratulations to everyone who crossed the stage at the 2024 ceremony. The CU School of Dental Medicine is honored to be part of your story.
Header image, left to right: Tristan Doan; Menna Aly, BDS; Rachel Myers; Demetrius Jelks; Woohyeok Kwon, BDS; and Eirini Boutiou, DDS.
