Incoming dental students interacting during an icebreaker exercise at Welcome Day.Before classes begin, the DMD Class of 2030 is already doing something essential, learning how to become a cohort.
At the UAB School of Dentistry, that starts on Welcome Day. What started as a room of introductions, names, hometowns, and academic paths, quickly turned into conversation. Students who arrived not knowing each other began to settle in, finding common ground and getting more comfortable as the day went on.
“It’s been really easy meeting all the people from all the different backgrounds that come here,” said Hunter Mitchell of Fort Payne, Alabama. “We have so much in common just to get here. We had to do a lot of similar things, academically and extracurriculars. While everyone's path is not exactly the same, there are a lot of commonalities, and I just think it's interesting how we can all come together and bond over that.”
The day included small group activities, time with faculty, and opportunities to hear directly from upperclassmen. Those conversations helped answer questions and gave incoming students a clearer picture of what to expect.
“Meeting everybody has been a great experience,” said Trey Shiels of Daphne, Alabama. “Everyone is very nice and welcoming, and I feel like we already have a good connection. It’s been easy to talk to people already, so I’m looking forward to spending the next four years with them.”
Students were also introduced to some of the expectations that come with dental school. A student-led fashion show on clinical scrubs walked through what is appropriate in a clinical setting and gave a practical look at professional standards early on.
Incoming dental students participating in a tour of UAB Dentistry clinical facilities led by a senior dental student.As the day continued, students began to get a feel for the environment, not just the building, but how people interact within it.
“I think one of the things that will always stand out to me is that everybody here truly wants to help everybody,” said Tyra Avery of Nashville, Tennessee. “They don’t want you to feel like you’re alone, especially when you’re transitioning into something like dental school.”
By the end of the day, the room felt different. Students recognized one another, conversations came more easily, and the Class of 2030 began to take shape.