Transformation Takes Time: GSDM Professional Ceremony Celebrates DMD 30 and DMD AS 28 Classes
The newest members of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine community—the Doctor of Dental Medicine Class of 2030 and the Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing Class of 2028—were officially welcomed to the school and the dental field on Friday, July 31, during the 2026 Professional Ceremony.
The annual event serves as the culminating event of the school’s Predoctoral Matriculation Week, a week-long series of lectures and activities designed to prepare students for a successful dental school experience. During the ceremony, students receive a Boston University pin and recite the dental professional oath to commemorate the start of their educational programs.
Dean Cataldo Leone opened the ceremony by congratulating the new students on their professional achievements. He said he and the GSDM faculty believe the incoming students will thrive during their time at Boston University.
“You’ve done very well in your educational careers and passed a rigorous admissions process during which thousands of applications from highly qualified individuals are reviewed,” Leone said. “Less than one out of 20 applicants actually make it to the seats you are now sitting in. That means you are the most highly qualified of the highly qualified. Congratulations.”
Dr. Joseph Calabrese, GSDM associate dean of students, said he is eager to watch the two classes begin their studies and assimilate into the school’s culture.
“We hope that [Predoctoral] Matriculation Week was exciting and informative for everyone, and that this week is the beginning of what turns out to be two more great classes in our school’s history,” Calabrese said. “Based on the buzz in the classrooms and in Hiebert Lounge, not just Monday, but all week, I am confident that we were all off to a great start.”
Ashley Ciapciak DMD 20, instructor of general dentistry, delivered this year’s keynote address. Ciapciak joined the school’s faculty in 2024, juggling her teaching responsibilities with owning a private practice in Needham, Masschusetts, serving as an APEX program mentor for GSDM and holding several freelance roles.
Ciapciak told students the dental profession is called a practice because mastery is not the expectation; rather, continuous improvement is required. She said the students are bound for discomfort and stress as they begin their dental pursuits, but growth only happens outside of comfort zones.
“Like zirconia being fired into a beautiful dental crown, your transformation into a dental professional is going to take time and heat,” Ciapciak said. “Every dental student grows at different rates, so as you grow, please be sure not to accidentally compare your beginning to somebody else’s middle. Every patient [and] every procedure has something to teach you if you’re willing to learn.”
In his closing remarks, Leone reminded the DMD Class of 2030 and DMD AS Class of 2028 that success in professional school requires commitment, diligence, and demanding work. He said he knows every student is ready for the challenges ahead.
“The faculty pledge to teach you all that they must, and you are pledging to learn all that you can, all in a collegial, respectful, and supportive environment,” Leone said. “Let’s begin this incredible journey together.”
For photos from the event, see our Professional Ceremony 2026 Flickr album.