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On Saturday, May 18, 1,098 graduates from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio participated in the combined spring and summer commencement ceremony at the Alamodome.

The School of Dentistry awarded degrees or certificates to 172 graduates, including 107 Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees and 19 Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degrees.

Watch below as graduates reflect on their experiences and the lessons they’ll carry into their futures as dental providers.

Erika Selina Rangel Juarez, Doctor of Dental Surgery, International Dentist Education Program (IDEP)

Erika shared why she decided to attend Íø±¬³Ô¹Ï:
"My choice of Íø±¬³Ô¹Ï is based on the excellent quality and strength of the clinical program. Also, the diversity of students and faculty that they provide. In San Antonio, we have a large Hispanic population, making Íø±¬³Ô¹Ï an incredible experience for a Mexican international student like me."

Glaucia Schuindt Teixeira Neves, Doctor of Dental Surgery, International Dentist Education Program (IDEP)

Glaucia had some important advice for incoming and current dental students:
"Build a very good team with your classmates and be nice. The knowledge from this school is huge, but the real treasure is the friendships and the connections that you're making here. My classmates are great, and I wouldn't be here without them."

Chinonye Oseghae, Doctor of Dental Surgery

Chinonye gave some advice for incoming and current students:
"Just allow yourself to be a beginner. We come in thinking we might have to know a lot of things or that everything has to be perfect on our first try. But there should be grace given to ourselves because we are here at school trying to learn and get better. Progression over perfection."

Brenna Routh, Doctor of Dental Surgery

Brenna shared why it's important for students to get more involved while in dental school:
"Being a student is one thing, but being an involved student is another. Whether that's getting involved in intramurals, applying to the Japanese Exchange Program or doing something like that. This is an experience, and it's a learning experience in dentistry. I really do think I've grown not only in my clinical skills but also as a person in general."

Kian Valizadeh, Doctor of Dental Surgery 

Kian was asked if he had any advice for dental students:
"My words of advice for any of the current or incoming dental students is to be curious and ask as many questions as possible."

Melissa Frederick, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Melissa gave some great advice about applying to dental hygiene school:
"For those of you who are considering going to school later on in life, it took me 8 years before I got into dental hygiene school because there were a lot of hurdles. But, do it. You're going to get older anyway and might as well earn your degree while doing so."

Kelsee Gosbee, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Kelsee shared her most rewarding experience during her time in the dental hygiene program:
"I think my most rewarding experience was serving the underprivileged populations during our community rotations such as at Haven for Hope and Miles for Smiles with children at schools. I love kids, so interacting with those kids really was the most rewarding and, I would say, the best experience."

Vincent Le, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Vincent responded on why he applied to the School of Dentistry:
"What brought me to Íø±¬³Ô¹Ï is their bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. I found that with a bachelor's degree, it helps me be a more well-rounded clinician, as well as being able to critically think and adapt to different patient populations within the community."

Laura Ramos, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Laura was asked about her most rewarding experiences while in the dental hygiene program:
"I would have to say the patient interactions, whether that was here in the clinic or outside in the community where we did rotations, like the geriatric rotation, periodontics rotation and Haven for Hope. All of those are really rewarding experiences because I felt like they had a positive and direct impact."