As the UMNC College of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony wound down on Aug. 22, Dean Gerard Kugel, DMD, PhD, could only shake his head.
“This,” he said to a colleague, “is an impressive incoming class.”
He’s not lying. Both the dentistry class of 2029 and the dental hygiene class of 2027, who received their white coats together in the August ceremony, boast some impressive numbers, including a dental student who scored a perfect 30 on the Dental Admission Test.
As a class, the incoming dental students averaged 21.8 on the DAT, which Dr. Kugel said was a figure “on par with or exceeding the nation’s top schools.”
The 56 dental students matriculating this fall were chosen from 240 applicants, out of 803 verified applications received and reviewed. The group had a 3.82 cumulative GPA, with a 3.76 GPA in science courses.
Forty of the 56 incoming dental students – which include 31 men and 25 women – are from Nebraska. The dental hygiene class had 21 of 24 from Nebraska.
“The test scores and GPAs show that this is an impressive group, and we are happy to have so many Nebraskans represented,” said Greg Bennett, DMD, interim executive associate dean of the college. “Part of our mission as a state university is to help build the health workforce that can positively impact the dental health of the people of Nebraska, so providing opportunities for Nebraska students to move into the health professions plays a huge part in that effort.”
The incoming dental hygiene class of 2027, 24 women, have some impressive numbers as well. Seven already hold bachelor’s degrees, while three hold associate degrees, and the class held a 3.68 GPA while scoring a 380 average on the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene.
“Energy, talent, and heart – that’s what this class brings,” Dr. Kugel said. “With scores and GPAs that rival the nation’s best and strong Nebraska roots, they’re poised to elevate patient care, innovation, and service from day one. I couldn’t be more excited to watch these future dentists and dental hygienists lead boldly and make a lasting impact across our state and beyond.”