The White Coat Ceremony marks the symbolic transition from classroom to clinical care.  The ceremony emphasizes the importance of both scientific excellence and compassionate, ethical care for the patient.  Speakers from the dental school and sponsoring organizations emphasize the professional values of integrity, ethical behavior, respect for patients and responsibility to the community.  Students are presented with personalized white coats, which are provided by the sponsoring organizations that can be any combination of Alumni Association, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.  The Pierre Fauchard Academy encourages all Sections with dental schools to be involved in White Coat Ceremonies.