SIU School of Dental Medicine Kicks Off Academic Year with Orientation and Welcome Event

SIU School of Dental Medicine Kicks Off Academic Year with Orientation and Welcome Event

August 16, 2024, 5:37 PM

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) begins its celebration of 50 years by starting the new academic year with a series of exciting events.

First, the annual orientation experience and a fall welcome event marked the arrival of first-year dental students and the return of continuing students. On July 31, the incoming SDM Class of 2028 arrived on campus for orientation, officially beginning their journey as SIU SDM dental students. The university-sponsored SDM fall welcome event, held on August 8 in Alton, brought together SIU SDM students and faculty with SIUE administration and staff to kick off the new year.

This school year is particularly significant with the reopening of the SDM's Main Dental Clinic in Alton, which closed during the spring and summer semesters due to flooding at the end of 2023. The clinic houses 96 individual patient care units on its main floor, along with other important dental treatment areas, including Oral Surgery and Radiology, throughout the rest of the building.

Additionally, this year marks SIU SDM's 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of developing excellent dental professionals since the graduation of its first class in 1975. The recent orientation, welcome event, and clinic reopening have set the tone for the SDM's milestone year. More 50th anniversary celebrations will be announced in the months to come.

PHOTOS: SIU SDM students with Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD and SIU SDM faculty; Incoming class of SIU SDM selfie