Dentistry, Hygiene Class of 2014 will help ensure world-class care for Manitobans

It may come as a surprise to many but Manitobans enjoy an exceptionally high standard of oral health care compared to much of the outside world. And that standard will only grow stronger when 60 young practitioners receive their credentials on June 5 at the University of Manitoba.

The Faculty of Dentistry will confer degrees on 34 students who will officially earn their dentistry designation at the afternoon’s convocation ceremonies taking place on the Fort Garry Campus. As well, the School of Dental Hygiene will officially welcome 26 new professionals to its field.

Those graduating from the Faculty of Dentistry will be conferred with either a DMD or a Bachelor of Science in Dentistry, also known as a BSc (Dent). The Class of 2014 includes six non-Canadian students who joined the faculty through the International Dental Degree Program (IDDP).

This year’s University Gold Medal winner is Alanna Junaid who won a national research award from the Canadian Dental Association last year. It was the first time in over 20 years a Manitoba student claimed the title at the cross-Canada competition.

In dental hygiene, Aaron Benedict Szucsik earned the Gold Medal for the Class of 2014 in addition to the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He was awarded the Bronze for highest standing in a two-year program other than agriculture.

The Class of 2014 is the 55th from the Faculty of Dentistry and the 51st for the School of Dental Hygiene. The vast majority of students in both programs were born and raised in Manitoba and seem likely to remain within their home province.

Most graduates from the last four consecutive class years have chosen to continue their careers within Manitoba boarders, including 75 per cent of last year’s Class of 2013. Of that number, several began their careers in communities outside of Winnipeg.

“All of our academic staff, from the Faculty of Dentistry and our School of Dental Hygiene, is focused on ensuring that each student consistently meets our imperative of high academic performance and patient care,” says Anthony Iacopino, Dean of Dentistry. “We remain committed to improve the student experience and to ensure our curriculum prepares our graduates for today’s practice world within the context of a profession that must always maintain extremely high standards for trust and accountability.”

Members of both classes will be presented with individual class awards at a morning breakfast prior to the convocation ceremonies that begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday,  June 5, on the Fort Garry Campus.