A pathway for international dentists: IDAPP 2023
By Nina Ambros
On January 9, the Faculty of Dentistry hosted the White Coat ceremony for the 2023 incoming class of the International Dentist Advanced Placement Program (IDAPP). You could feel the enthusiasm and pride of the incoming students, as they got to put on their white coats for the very first time.
The White Coat ceremony is an official welcome to the Faculty of Dentistry, and it marks the students' entry to the profession. Guest speakers included Dr. Laura Tam, interim Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Dr. Sandy Venditti, President of The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, Dr. Lisa Bentley, President of The Ontario Dental Association (ODA), and Dr. Sonia Slawuta-Shulakewych, Chair of the Ontario Section, The American College of Dentists.
“These students are the future of our profession, and we are so excited.” says Bentley. “It’s a great honour to be part of this moment.”
The Master of Ceremony for the evening was Dr. Gevik Malkhassian, Director of IDAPP. Malkhassian has a personal connection to the program. He graduated with his DDS degree in Iran, where he practiced for 11 years before emigrating to Canada as an internationally trained dentist, and entering a qualifying certificate program at U of T.
“As you can image, I can relate well to our new students’ current situation and the transition that they are going through at this stage of their life. I am honoured to welcome them to U of T.” says Malkhassian.
A pathway to follow their passion
Canada has a long history of immigration. Millions of people from all over the world continue to choose Canada as their new home. According to the ODA, 49 per cent of Dentists that practice in Ontario trained outside the province.
The IDAPP allows internationally trained dentists to be able to gain a license to practice dentistry in Canada. "As the first, and the oldest, dental school in Canada, we are proud to offer a pathway for internationally trained dentists to follow their passion in this country.” says Dr. Tam.
Meet the IDAPP Class of 2023
The 2023 class is a group of 22 students, with representation from Egypt, India, Nepal, Nigeria and Pakistan. Every class elects a student president, and this year Dharm Patel was nominated by his peers. Dharm completed his dentistry degree in India, before moving to Canada in 2018.
“Most of the Dentistry books that were used in my studies in India, were written by U of T Professors. It was always my dream to study here.” says Patel. “I know that we will have a great learning experience here, we are at a world-renowned Faculty.”
New traditions
This year’s ceremony is the first one to be physically held at the Faculty of Dentistry building. Previously, ceremonies were held in other locations at U of T’s St. George campus. This was also the first time that the IDAPP White Coat ceremony was live streamed.
“We recognize that many of our IDAPP students have family and friends abroad and we wanted to include them in this experience.” says Jenny Trinh, Assistant Registrar.
“We hope to carry on this tradition, hosting our yearly White Coat ceremony at the Faculty. Dentistry is deeply rooted in the history of the building, and we want to intertwine that in our students’ official welcome,” says Trinh.
If you missed the livestream of the event, you can watch it here:
{"preview_thumbnail":"/sites/default/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/1HHjjYKmbpk.jpg?itok=r7lq0t6v","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=639&v=1HHjjYKmbpk&feature=youtu.be","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":1},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive, autoplaying)."]}
Photo credits: Jeff Comber, IITS