Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Dentistry brought together two meaningful milestones in a single program: honoring dentists who have completed 25 years in the profession and welcoming first-year students as they took their first step into their professional journey by donning their white coats.

Held at the OMU Atatürk Culture Center Conference Hall, the ceremony was attended by OMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sumer and Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry Prof. Dr. Kaan Gündüz, President of the Samsun Chamber of Dentists Dt. Övgü Tunçdemir Eyüboğlu, faculty administrators, academics, students, and family members.

Vice Rector Sumer: “These white coats will silently witness your effort and learning process”

Delivering the opening speech, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sumer underscored the importance of health and the value of dentistry as a profession:

“There is no doubt that the greatest wealth of humankind is health. Our ancestors defined illness as a ‘trap for the soul’ and believed that it was physicians who would rescue people from these traps. Practices for protecting oral and dental health have developed into a specialized field over time; today, dentistry education—combining manual skill with scientific knowledge—has become a modern and esteemed academic discipline.

Dear students, the white coats you wear today mark the beginning of your professional journey. Soon they will be covered with traces of plaster, wax, acrylic, and laboratory work—becoming silent witnesses to your effort and learning.”

Prof. Dr. Sumer emphasized that dentistry is not only a profession but also a journey requiring patience, empathy, dedication, and a human-centered approach:

“These values will make you not only good clinicians but also health professionals who can truly touch human lives. I believe that this meaningful step you take today will be the beginning of a successful career that contributes to our country and to humanity. I also extend my congratulations to the colleagues who are being honored for completing 25 years in the profession.”

Dean Gündüz: “Today we unite the past and the future in the same hall”

OMÜ Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi Dekanı Prof. Dr. Kaan Gündüz ise konuşmasında hem tecrübeli hekimleri hem de mesleğe yeni adım atan gençleri aynı salonda buluşturmanın gurur verici olduğunu söyledi:

“Bugün burada, bir meslektaşınız ve bu meslekte 25 yılını doldurmuş bir diş hekimi olarak bulunmak benim için çok değerli. Bizler; zaman zaman güçlüklerle karşılaştığımız ama her gün bir başka insanın yaşamına dokunmanın onurunu yaşadığımız bir mesleğin üyeleriyiz. Bugün hem mesleğe çeyrek asrını adamış kıymetli meslektaşlarımızı onurlandırmak hem de beyaz önlüğe ilk kez adım atacak genç öğrencilerimizi karşılamak için buradayız. Dünle yarının bu salonda buluşuyor oluşu başlı başına büyük bir mutluluk.”

Prof. Dr. Gündüz konuşmasının devamında mesleğe yıllarını vermiş hekimlere duyduğu saygıyı şu sözlerle dile getirdi:

“25 yıl bir ömür kadar uzun ama bir nefes kadar da hızlı. Bu yolculuğa çıktığımızda elimizde birkaç ideal ve sınırsız bir heves vardı. Bugün ise hastalarımızın tebessümleri, aşılmış zorluklar ve meslek dayanışmasıyla güçlenmiş dostluklar görüyoruz. Ödül alacak meslektaşlarımızla gurur duyuyorum; genç öğrencilerimizin ise bu mesleğe ışık tutacağına inanıyorum. Bugün sizlere yalnızca bir plaket değil, bir vefa, bir teşekkür ve bir saygı sunuyoruz.”

Oda Başkanı Övgü Tunçdemir Eyüboğlu: “Bu önlüğün hakkını vereceğinize inanıyorum”

Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry Prof. Dr. Kaan Gündüz expressed his pride in bringing together experienced practitioners and young students:

“Being here today as both your colleague and a dentist who has completed 25 years in the profession is deeply meaningful for me. We are members of a profession in which we sometimes face challenges, yet every day we experience the honor of touching another person’s life.

Today, we are here to honor our colleagues who have devoted a quarter of a century to this profession, and to welcome our young students who will wear their white coats for the first time. The gathering of yesterday and tomorrow in this hall is a great joy in itself.”

He continued by expressing his respect for dentists who have dedicated many years to their work:

“Twenty-five years is as long as a lifetime and as brief as a breath. When we began this journey, we had a few ideals and endless enthusiasm. Today, we see the smiles of our patients, the challenges we have overcome, and friendships strengthened through professional solidarity. I take great pride in our colleagues receiving awards, and I wholeheartedly believe our young students will illuminate the future of this profession.”

Dt. Övgü Tunçdemir Eyüboğlu: “I believe you will honor this white coat”

Samsun Chamber of Dentists President Dt. Övgü Tunçdemir Eyüboğlu congratulated the students who earned the right to wear their white coats:

“As we celebrate Dentists’ Day on 22 November and Oral and Dental Health Week, I extend my congratulations to all colleagues. This year, seeing you, our esteemed students, earn your white coats brings great pride to all of us. Studying at OMU Faculty of Dentistry with its strong academic staff is a significant privilege. I believe that you will carry out your profession in adherence to scientific principles, human values, and the reforms of Atatürk. As the Samsun Chamber of Dentists, our doors are always open to all students and colleagues.”

25th-Year Professional Service Awards Presented

Following the speeches, dentists who completed 25 years in the profession received certificates of appreciation from Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sumer and Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz. The honorees were invited to the stage and received their awards to warm applause.

In the second part of the program, first-year dentistry students donned their white coats, marking the official start of their professional journey. The pride of families and the excitement of students filled the hall.

The event concluded with a group photo session featuring students, academics, and guests.