The next generation of global students: 2025 IDAPP White Coat Ceremony
By Rachel Boutet
When Abhishek Khanna left his home of Punjab, India with his dental degree in hand, he dreamt of becoming a dentist in Canada. His journey, however, wasn’t easy – starting with flipping burgers at McDonald’s and working as a security guard while studying for exams.
Two and a half years later, Khanna has proudly entered the Faculty’s International Dentist Advanced Placement Program (IDAPP), and on January 20, along with the 2025 IDAPP class, wore his white coat and took his oath of commitment at the White Coat Ceremony.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry,” says Khanna, who is also the IDAPP 2025 class representative. “It is an honour to have the opportunity to learn under the guidance of such outstanding faculty members. I am also excited to be part of a community where I can make lifelong connections with peers and mentors who share a passion for dentistry.”
IDAPP is a special six-month preparatory program intended for graduates of non-accredited dental programs. It begins in January each year and at the completion of the program, successful students are admitted directly into DDS3. The White Coat Ceremony also included speeches from Student Life director, Joel Rosenbloom, assistant professor, teaching stream, and director of IDAPP, Gevik Malkhassian, Dr. Harinder Sandhu, president of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, and Dr. Maneesh Jain, president of the Ontario Dental Association.
“This White Coat Ceremony signifies your initiation into the health service community and the next step of your journey towards becoming a health care professional,” says interim dean Laura Tam. “When you put on this coat, you are making a life-long promise to accept the responsibility to collaborate with your colleagues, and to provide patients with the best possible care.”
As an internationally-trained dentist and U of T Dentistry graduate, Malkhassian holds a special connection to the IDAPP students.
“I can relate well to your current situation and the transition that you are undergoing at this stage of your life,” he says. “Our commitment to fostering a dynamic and supportive environment is strong and we are confident that your journey in IDAPP will not only be academically enriching, but also rewarding. I am looking forward to working with you all and most of all, I hope you enjoy the time spent as part of our community.”
Khanna says notes that although his time at the Faculty has been brief, it has already been an incredible experience.
“The lectures have been amazing, and learning the North American style of dentistry from scratch is a completely new and exciting journey,” he says. “The supportive environment and opportunity to grow alongside passionate peers make it even more rewarding. I’m eager to continue this transformative experience.”
While graduation is still a few years away, Khanna already has a sense of what he might do in the future.
“My experiences have taught me resilience and perseverance, and I aspire to use the skills and knowledge I gain to make a meaningful impact in the field of dentistry,” he says. “My goal is to work in a community-based setting where I can provide patient-centered care and help improve oral health awareness. I’m excited for what lies ahead and can’t wait to see where this path takes me.”
See more photos from the IDAPP White Coat Ceremony.
Top photo: IDAPP class and interim dean Laura Tam (Jeff Comber)