DCG sends off Class of 2026 at annual hooding ceremony

A new class of dental professionals has officially joined the field as 97 students graduated from the Dental College of Georgia. The annual hooding ceremony, hosted by the DCG Office for Student Affairs & Alumni, honored the Class of 2026 and marked the completion of years of rigorous academic study and clinical training. Watch the ceremony here.

Dr. Gregory G. Goggans, co-founder of Smile Doctors, an orthodontic service with more than 50 locations, served as the hooding speaker. A former Georgia state senator and longtime member of the Georgia Board of Dentistry, he encouraged graduates to embrace lifelong learning and lead with gratitude. “We are blessed with the ability to change lives,” Goggans said.

The ceremony highlighted the transition from students to professionals as graduates received their Doctor of Dental Medicine hoods. Dr. Greg Griffin, associate dean for Student Affairs & Alumni, announced the graduates and outlined their post-graduation plans, including residency training, private practice, military service and other career paths.

Griffin noted the Class of 2026 completed hundreds of hours of volunteer and community service. Nearly one-third of graduates matched into competitive advanced education programs, 30 were inducted into honor societies, four earned a distinction in research, five earned a distinction in leadership and seven earned a distinction in teaching.

Family members and friends played a vital role in supporting the graduates through financial assistance, emotional encouragement and, in some cases, participation as training patients in student clinics. Griffin encouraged attendees to celebrate the milestone. “This is a formal occasion, but it is also a joyful one,” he said. “Please celebrate. This day belongs to our graduates and to everyone who helped them get here.”

During the ceremony, DCG faculty and dental professionals from graduates’ families placed hoods on the graduates, continuing a tradition that symbolizes their entry into the profession as doctors.

Dr. Kevin Frazier, vice dean of DCG, offered brief remarks to the new clinicians and emphasized the importance of compassionate care: “You learned to balance precision with empathy, science with artistry and technical skill with a human connection. You learned that dentistry is not just about restoring and preserving oral health; it’s about improving lives, one patient at a time.”

Several students received special recognition for outstanding achievement. The DCG Outstanding Senior Award went to Isabella Burgess, who co-founded and led the DCG Pre-Orthodontic Club for 2.5 years, served as president of the Give a Smile student organization and earned multiple national honors and scholarships. She also graduated with a Distinction in Teaching after serving as a tutor and teaching assistant.

The Judson C. Hickey Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Dr. Rafael R. Pacheco, associate dean for DCG digital technologies, in recognition of his contributions to dental education. He joined the faculty in 2022 as an associate professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and had the honor of leading graduates into the ceremony.

The student speaker was Carter Shelton, president of the Class of 2026, who received the AD and Jerlene Elliott Scholarship and the Central District Dental Society Scholarship.

The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the dentist’s pledge, led by Dr. Amber Lawson (DMD, 2006), past president of the Georgia Dental Association, Hooding assistance was provided by Dr. Kevin Kirkland (DMD, 2007), president of the DCG Alumni Association. A reception for graduates and guests followed.

The Class of 2026 reflects a diverse group of students whose paths to dentistry include first-generation college graduates, career changers, international students and others whose journeys highlight perseverance and determination. Their training included extensive study in dental anatomy, pharmacology and surgical procedures, along with hands-on experience in DCG simulation labs and live patient clinics.