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On Monday, July 29, 2019 the School of Dentistry hosted a Welcome Social for the Dental Hygiene Classes of 2020, 2021, and the DDS Class of 2023. Held annually, the social is an opportunity for the dental and dental hygiene students to interact socially with one another, meet school administration, and reflect on the year ahead.

Dean Peter Loomer, Dr. Stefanie Seitz, Assistant Dean for Students, Dr. Kay Malone, Director of Admissions, and Ms. Jo Ann Jordan, Director of Dental Hygiene, circulated the room to greet attendees. Cheesy Jane's catered the event offering salad, burgers, chocolate shakes, and all the trimmings.

The DDS students had just completed their first day on campus and had a full day of orientation before the social. When speaking with DS1, Alexandra Bracaglia, she was most appreciative of the Q&A portions of the day. She was grateful to the student service departments that attended, which allowed her to “put a face to a name”. She and her classmates valued their time with the DS2 students and look forward to more interaction with them.

When asked what she personally looks forward to this year, without hesitation Alexandra says, “I can’t wait for the community service activities and the class social events”. In fact, her hope is to manage and organize future events for her classmates. Alexandra is eager for the year ahead and even though it’s four years away, she proudly shared her plans for the future. After graduation, she will complete postgraduate training in public health and return back to Dallas, Texas to join private practice.

Reanna Villanueva-Castilleja, DH-Senior, and Dalena Huynh, DH-Junior, also attended the welcome event. The hygiene students began their term at the start of July and already had a 4-week head start on the dental students. Dalena mentions that the year is off to a great start and her class has been organizing themselves. She says that the senior students have been very supportive of the junior class. Reanna agreed that the dental hygiene classes are extremely encouraging of one another. She says the bonding occurs due to the collaborative community outreach performed with both classes.

The year ahead is promising for all our students. We look forward to reporting on all their accomplishments.