A white coat ceremony was held for the first-year students of Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry. The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, and Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak, Vice Rector of Üsküdar University. The program, which attracted great interest from families, saw emotional moments at times.
The ceremony, held at the Ibn Sina Auditorium of Üsküdar University NP Dental and Health Campus, was broadcast live on ÜÜ TV and YouTube.
The program, which saw strong participation from families, began with opening speeches by first-year students of Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry, Şeyma Süslü and Emir Çiftçioğlu.
Şeyma Süslü: “Medicine represents much more than just a professional title”
Şeyma Süslü, a first-year Faculty of Dentistry student, stated that medicine is more than just a professional title; “We have reached that day. All of us went through challenging exams and stressful paths to get here. We stumbled many times. We made mistakes, but the pride of being here today as true doctor candidates is great enough to overshadow all global negativities. Because for us, medicine represents much more than just a professional title. We see treating patients not just as a job, but as part of the art we will practice, and we respect it to that extent. We know that the white coats we will receive today will remain the greatest symbol of our respect for our profession throughout our medical lives, and we are greatly honored by this.” she said.
Emir Çiftçioğlu: “Health begins in the mouth…”
Emir Çiftçioğlu, a first-year student at the Faculty of Dentistry, stated; “There was one thing all our professors commonly emphasized: Health begins in the mouth. Beyond the smallest malfunction in the working mechanism of teeth causing physical discomfort to the entire body, oral and dental health has stood out in all societies to date due to the importance of the aesthetic appearance of our teeth. Like all fields intertwined with society, dentistry is a challenging and sensitive profession, both because it is open to the social sphere and because it is a healthcare field. The fact that our area of work is small, delicate, requires fine craftsmanship, and even a tiny mistake can lead to major problems, adds to the difficulty of our field,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay: “We are talking about a profession that always represents the truth”
Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Yumuşhan Günay, Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry, took the podium and emphasized that sharing knowledge is not a one-way street. Günay; “Being with you in some way, being under one roof, sharing a common legal framework, sharing knowledge, fills me with pride. As you know, sharing knowledge is not a one-way event. It is two-way. It is the most beautiful thing in the world... What we give you in return for what you give us will always be less and come from further behind. Therefore, I truly want to share my happiness once again while I have the opportunity. Soon you will put on your doctor’s coat. From the moment you put on that coat, all people; children, the elderly, men and women, Easterners and Westerners, will be your friends and siblings. All people will expect this from you and will see you this way. This is a dizzying embrace. A very important privilege not granted to any other profession. That is why we call it ‘Doctor.’ We are talking about a profession that always represents the truth, always makes correct decisions, does not compromise on what is right, and is in a struggle and determination to exhibit a correct stance.” he stated.
Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak: “Medicine is a sacred profession”
In his speech, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak drew attention to the importance of serving humanity, the highest of all creations; “We see today as perhaps the first day our students embark on their profession. The white coat represents purity, transparency, honesty, and trust in the other person. You must keep all patient secrets. Therefore, it is not just a piece of cloth that is white. Patients entrust you with their secrets, themselves, and ask for their help. At one point, you are serving humanity, the highest being among all creations. The medical profession is a sacred profession. In fact, as the ancients put it, or rather, as written in books, I say: If there is a doctor in a neighborhood and they have no income, that neighborhood is obliged to support that doctor. Why? Because you will be practicing a profession that prioritizes public health. You will not live only for yourselves; you will be practicing a sacred profession because you live for your people, for the country you represent. Medicine is a synthesis of knowledge and skill. They will both practice its artistic side and demonstrate their knowledge.” he said.
Both students and their families experienced emotional moments…
Following the opening speeches, the first-year students of the Faculty of Dentistry enthusiastically put on their coats.
The happiness and emotional moments of the families witnessing this beautiful moment of their children were truly worth seeing.
Music recital captivated the guests…
During the white coat ceremony, the music recital by first-year students of the Faculty of Dentistry was met with a standing ovation from the attendees.
The ceremony concluded after a group photo session.
