{"id":65527,"date":"2026-08-26T09:46:49","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T13:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/?p=65527"},"modified":"2026-08-26T09:47:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T13:47:19","slug":"news-gsdm-professional-ceremony-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/2026\/08\/26\/news-gsdm-professional-ceremony-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Transformation Takes Time: GSDM Professional Ceremony Celebrates DMD 30 and DMD AS 28 Classes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0newest\u00a0members of the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine community\u2014the Doctor of Dental Medicine Class of 2030 and the Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing Class of 2028\u2014were officially welcomed to the school and the dental\u00a0field\u00a0on Friday,\u00a0July 31, during the 2026\u00a0Professional Ceremony.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0annual event\u00a0serves as the\u00a0culminating event\u00a0of the\u00a0school\u2019s\u00a0Predoctoral Matriculation Week, a week-long\u00a0series of lectures and activities\u00a0designed to prepare students for a successful dental school experience.\u00a0During the ceremony,\u00a0students\u00a0receive a Boston University pin\u00a0and\u00a0recite the dental professional oath\u00a0to commemorate the\u00a0start of their\u00a0educational programs.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dean Cataldo Leone\u00a0opened the ceremony\u00a0by\u00a0congratulating the new students on their\u00a0professional\u00a0achievements. He said he and the GSDM faculty believe the\u00a0incoming students\u00a0will thrive\u00a0during their time at\u00a0Boston University.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cYou&#8217;ve\u00a0done very well in your educational careers and passed a rigorous admissions process during which thousands of applications from highly qualified individuals are reviewed,\u201d Leone said. \u201cLess than one out of 20 applicants\u00a0actually make\u00a0it to the seats you are now sitting in.\u00a0That means you are the most highly qualified of the highly qualified. Congratulations.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu-slideshow-container professional-2026 autoplay\" id=\"bu-slideshow-container-65518\" data-slideshow-name=\"professional-2026\" data-slideshow-delay=\"5000\" style=\"width: auto; \"><div class='slideshow-loader active'><div class='loader-animation'><\/div><p>loading slideshow...<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bu-slideshow-slides\"><ul class=\"bu-slideshow transition-slide\" id=\"bu-slideshow-65518\"><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65518_0\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65518_1\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65518_2\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/3-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65518_3\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/4-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65518_4\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/5-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65518_5\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/6-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65518_6\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/7-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65518_7\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/8-and-instagram-story.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"bu-slideshow-navigation-container\"><ul class=\"bu-slideshow-navigation nav-icon\" id=\"bu-slideshow-nav-65518\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-1\" class=\" active\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>1<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-2\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>2<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-3\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>3<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-4\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>4<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-5\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>5<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-6\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>6<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-7\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>7<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-8\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>8<\/span><\/a><\/li> <\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Joseph Calabrese, GSDM associate dean of students,\u00a0said he is\u00a0eager\u00a0to\u00a0watch\u00a0the two classes\u00a0begin\u00a0their studies and assimilate into the school&#8217;s culture.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe hope that\u00a0[Predoctoral]\u00a0Matriculation Week\u00a0was exciting and informative for everyone, and that this week is the beginning of what turns out to be two more great classes in our\u00a0school&#8217;s\u00a0history,\u201d Calabrese said. \u201cBased on the buzz in the classrooms\u00a0and\u00a0in\u00a0Hiebert\u00a0Lounge, not just Monday, but all week, I am confident that we were all off to a great start.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ashley\u00a0Ciapciak\u00a0DMD\u00a020, instructor of general dentistry, delivered this year\u2019s keynote address.\u00a0Ciapciak\u00a0joined the school\u2019s faculty in 2024, juggling her teaching responsibilities with owning a\u00a0private\u00a0practice in Needham,\u00a0Masschusetts, serving as\u00a0an\u00a0APEX program mentor for GSDM and holding several freelance roles.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ciapciak\u00a0told students the dental profession is called a practice because mastery is not the expectation; rather, continuous improvement is\u00a0required. She said the students are bound for discomfort and stress as they begin their dental pursuits, but growth only happens outside of comfort zones.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cLike zirconia being fired into a beautiful dental crown, your\u00a0transformation into a dental professional is going to take time and heat,\u201d Ciapciak\u00a0said. \u201cEvery dental student grows at different rates, so as you grow, please be sure not to accidentally compare your beginning to somebody else&#8217;s middle. Every patient [and] every procedure\u00a0has\u00a0something to teach you if\u00a0you&#8217;re\u00a0willing to learn.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu-slideshow-container professional-2026 autoplay\" id=\"bu-slideshow-container-65519\" data-slideshow-name=\"professional-2026\" data-slideshow-delay=\"5000\" style=\"width: auto; \"><div class='slideshow-loader active'><div class='loader-animation'><\/div><p>loading slideshow...<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bu-slideshow-slides\"><ul class=\"bu-slideshow transition-slide\" id=\"bu-slideshow-65519\"><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65519_0\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/9-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65519_1\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/10-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65519_2\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/11-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65519_3\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/12-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65519_4\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/13-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65519_5\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/14-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65519_6\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/15-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><li id=\"bu-slideshow-65519_7\" class=\"slide \"><div class=\"bu-slide-container slide-caption-bottom-right\"><img src=\"\/dental\/files\/2026\/08\/16-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"bu-slideshow-navigation-container\"><ul class=\"bu-slideshow-navigation nav-icon\" id=\"bu-slideshow-nav-65519\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-1\" class=\" active\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>1<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-2\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>2<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-3\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>3<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-4\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>4<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-5\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>5<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-6\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>6<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-7\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>7<\/span><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#\" id=\"pager-8\" class=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>8<\/span><\/a><\/li> <\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In his closing remarks, Leone\u00a0reminded the DMD Class of 2030 and DMD AS Class of 2028\u00a0that success in professional school requires commitment,\u00a0diligence, and\u00a0demanding work.\u00a0He said he knows every student is ready for the challenges ahead.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe 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,\u201d Leone said. \u201cLet&#8217;s\u00a0begin this incredible journey together.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For photos from the event, see\u00a0our\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bu_dental\/albums\/72177720335080752\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Professional Ceremony 2026\u00a0Flickr album<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span>By\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/author\/rachelgp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rachel Grace Philipson<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The newest members of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine community\u2014the Doctor of Dental Medicine Class of 2030 and the Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing Class of 2028\u2014were officially welcomed to the school and the dental field on Friday, July 31, during the 2026 Professional Ceremony.   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21998,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13840,13889,13839,13837],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65527"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21998"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65527"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65529,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65527\/revisions\/65529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}