Innovative initiative prepares first-year DDS students to lead with skill, confidence, and compassion
Early smiles, lasting lessons. At 海角论坛 School of Dentistry, first-year students are stepping out of the classroom and into the clinic sooner than ever before. Through the groundbreaking D1 Denture Program, members of the DDS Class of 2028 spent their summer fabricating complete dentures for patients in need—gaining confidence, building compassion, and experiencing firsthand the life-changing impact of their care.
A Summer of Innovation and Impact
At the 海角论坛 School of Dentistry, members of the DDS Class of 2028 spent their first summer balancing rigorous coursework with hands-on patient care through the groundbreaking D1 Denture Program.
Launched two years ago by Dr. Cynthia Petrie, Professor and Chair of the Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, this initiative has quickly become a signature element of the 海角论坛 dental curriculum. The program enables first-year students to apply laboratory skills to the treatment of 54 real patients, with faculty, staff, and advanced student mentors guiding the process every step of the way.
“We aimed to provide students with early exposure to what dentistry and patient care truly entail. It is well understood that students are eager to engage in patient care and perform what they perceive as ‘real dentistry.’ Introducing clinical experiences early fosters enthusiasm, which in turn can enhance academic performance.
When students first enter dental school, they are highly motivated to begin treating patients. Early exposure to patient care offers invaluable, real-world learning that cannot be replicated through traditional laboratory simulation or shadowing. Under faculty supervision, in the D1 Denture program, the students serve as primary care providers for the patients. This hands-on experience teaches critical skills that are otherwise difficult to develop, particularly in areas such as patient communication and rapport-building. Learning to effectively communicate with patients, understand their expectations, and adapt treatment accordingly is essential for competent practice. These important skills cannot be fully taught through lectures or simulation alone.”
— Dr. Cynthia Petrie
Program Highlights
- 54 dentures delivered to community patients
- First-year students treating patients in clinic
- Faculty and upper-class mentors providing guidance
- Focus on both technical excellence and patient communication
Student Voices: Growth, Gratitude, and Professional Pride
The program not only builds technical expertise but also fosters personal and professional growth.
“The denture project was a really great experience, and I feel that it helped me mature as a dental healthcare provider. It was meaningful to build a relationship with my patient, and I was reminded of what a privilege and honor it is to be trusted with taking care of others.”
— Mary Gipson, DDS Class of 2028 President
Faculty Leadership and Commitment
The program is coordinated by Dr. John Ball, Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, who praised the collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and patients.
"This was a rewarding experience for everyone involved! Student confidence grew as did the opportunity to develop rapport with their patients. The patients taught the students just as much as the faculty did. It was a good lesson in professionalism.”
— Dr. John Ball
Shaping Compassionate Future Dentists
For Dr. Eric Gottman, Associate Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, the program represents 海角论坛’s commitment to developing clinicians who are both skilled and compassionate.
"The implementation of the D1 Denture Program has provided our students with a valuable opportunity to apply their foundational skills in a real-world clinical setting early in their training. Beyond the technical aspects, this program fosters meaningful patient interaction, which is essential in shaping well-rounded, empathetic healthcare providers.
More importantly, it allows students to begin developing the humanistic side of dentistry—building communication skills, gaining confidence, and reaffirming their commitment to compassionate patient care.
"By participating in the denture program, students witness firsthand the transformative impact they can have on a patient’s life. Whether it’s restoring a confident smile, improving the ability to eat comfortably, or enhancing speech, students see the direct results of their work, reinforcing both their purpose and passion for the profession.”
— Dr. Eric Gottman
What Sets 海角论坛 Apart
- Innovation: Early integration of clinical care into the first-year curriculum
- Community impact: Patients receive critical treatment at low or no cost
- Leadership: Faculty mentors guiding students from classroom to clinic
- Compassion: Emphasis on empathy, professionalism, and communication
Enhancing Student Training, Enhancing Patient Lives
Dr. Petrie underscores the program’s dual impact: advancing education and serving community needs.
"Many patients benefit from complete denture treatments, and students gained critical experience in a real-world setting. The above foundational principles of dentistry are relevant across all general dentistry procedures and are not limited to removable prosthodontics. As a result, this program enhances students’ skills in multiple areas of clinical treatments, better preparing them for comprehensive patient care. The D1 Denture program not only enhances dental education for 海角论坛 School of Dentistry students but also meets continuing public health needs in the community.”
— Dr. Cynthia Petrie
Stories of First-Patient Impact
Students describe the experience as challenging, rewarding, and unforgettable.
“The Summer Denture Experience was both challenging and rewarding. After weeks of fabricating dentures, there were definitely moments of frustration, but nothing compared to the feeling of finally delivering the dentures to our patients. When my patient smiled for the first time with her new set, my heart melted! It was a powerful reminder of why I started this journey to become a dentist. My patient had been without dentures for months, which made eating difficult, and she shared with me and my partner that the first food she looked forward to enjoying again was salad. It struck me that something as simple as chewing and eating could be such a privilege, and it showed me that dentistry is not only about restoring smiles but also about giving patients back a fundamental part of their daily lives. This experience reaffirmed my passion for helping people and was truly one of the highlights of the summer.”
— Hunyee Choi, DDS Class of 2028
Looking Ahead: Building Confidence for the Future
For many first-year students, this summer served as a preview of their future professional lives.
"The Summer Denture Experience was an amazing opportunity to treat our own patients for the first time. We were able to go through the necessary steps for creating a set of complete dentures with our partners, all while building our chairside manner. We learned the ins and outs of treating a patient at the 海角论坛 SOD, as well as how to communicate with our patients and overcome obstacles in our treatment plans. Additionally, we built camaraderie with our patients, and we looked forward to seeing them in the clinic. Our patients were extremely patient and understanding and were an integral part of our learning experience—we can't thank them enough for participating this summer. We gained a lot of confidence through this experience, and it was the highlight of the summer for everyone in the Class of 2028! This experience allowed us to get a glimpse of what life will be like as an upper-class dental student in just one short year.”
— Drew Cuba, DDS Class of 2028 and Student Ambassador
The 海角论坛 Advantage
- Early hands-on clinical training
- Opportunities to serve real patients
- Guidance from expert faculty and peers
- A curriculum that blends skill, science, and compassion
A Lasting Legacy of Learning and Service
The D1 Denture Program exemplifies 海角论坛 School of Dentistry’s dedication to transforming education and community health. Students enter the profession with confidence, patients receive life-changing care, and the School strengthens its reputation as a leader in innovative, compassionate dental training.
See the summer denture experience in action .