{"id":126027,"date":"2025-10-09T08:52:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T13:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=126027"},"modified":"2025-10-09T08:52:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T13:52:30","slug":"new-dental-class-brings-energy-talent-and-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/10\/09\/new-dental-class-brings-energy-talent-and-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"New dental, hygiene classes bring ‘energy, talent and heart’"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

As the UMNC College of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony wound down on Aug. 22, Dean Gerard Kugel, DMD, PhD, could only shake his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis,\u201d he said to a colleague, \u201cis an impressive incoming class.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a class, the incoming dental students averaged 21.8 on the DAT, which Dr. Kugel said was a figure \u201con par with or exceeding the nation’s top schools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The UNMC College of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Class of 2027<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forty of the 56 incoming dental students \u2013 which include 31 men and 25 women \u2013 are from Nebraska. The dental hygiene class had 21 of 24 from Nebraska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe test scores and GPAs show that this is an impressive group, and we are happy to have so many Nebraskans represented,\u201d said Greg Bennett, DMD, interim executive associate dean of the college. \u201cPart 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnergy, talent, and heart \u2013 that\u2019s what this class brings,\u201d Dr. Kugel said. \u201cWith scores and GPAs that rival the nation\u2019s best and strong Nebraska roots, they\u2019re poised to elevate patient care, innovation, and service from day one. I couldn\u2019t be more excited to watch these future dentists and dental hygienists lead boldly and make a lasting impact across our state and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Incoming dental, dental hygiene classes boast impressive credentials, college leaders say.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":126029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"52527,54627,37345,30181,60188,60938","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-126027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","department-college-of-dentistry","author_override-john-keenan-unmc-strategic-communications"],"yoast_head":"\nNew dental, hygiene 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