The students of the Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry graduated on Thursday 11 July in a moving ceremony held for the second time in the Sant Cugat Teatre-Auditori. Introduced by dentist Pep Borrell, the event was chaired by Dr Lluís Giner, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, and was attended by representatives of Sant Cugat del Vallès City Council: Nuria Fernández, councillor of Health, Volunteering and Linguistic Policy; and Carme Ardid, councillor of Education, University, Multiculturalism and Animal Welfare.

After welcoming the attendees, Dr Lluís Giner addressed the new graduates and congratulated them, stressing that “you are no longer students but professionals, with all the responsibilities that come with being dentists.” “This new stage may scare you, but you don’t have to be afraid because throughout your degree you have learned all the necessary knowledge based on excellence to be able to contribute to the well-being of people,” he added. Dr Giner also reminded alumni that “whatever the specialty you choose, you have a very important challenge ahead: to try to offer treatment to the whole population, especially to those who are vulnerable, with a vocation of public service, humility and transparency”. Finally, the dean of the faculty encouraged new graduates to pursue their dreams and to continue training continuously to promote and ensure the oral health of people and offer treatments that adapt to the needs of the patient.

Then the patron of this year’s graduating class, Óscar Castro Reino, addressed the students highlighting the immense happiness that comes with graduating from university, though it may also bring fear and a feeling of vertigo. “Although we live immersed in a culture of immediacy, do not be in a hurry to decide your professional career. Your vocation should serve as a guide, enthusiasm for what you do, and you should enjoy each experience to the full,” he added.

In his speech, the patron advised the new graduates not to get too comfortable, but to continually seek ways to incorporate new aspects “that allow you to offer patients the best possible quality of care.” Castro Reino also expressed the humanistic character of the profession, emphasising the fact that illness and suffering make people vulnerable. He encouraged his new colleagues to seek professional excellence for the benefit of the patient from the different areas offered by the healthcare sector, such as clinical care, management, teaching and research, “all of them essential to ensure that dentistry continues to evolve and transfer advances to society.”

After the placing of sashes and awarding of diplomas, student representatives gave moving speeches to their graduating classmates, as well as to their families and teachers for the support they received during their studies.

The day before on 10 July, the graduation of the master's and postgraduate degrees of the Faculty of Dentistry took place, also at the Teatre-Auditori of Sant Cugat. Dr Raquel Osorio, professor of the Department of Stomatology at the University of Granada and featuring in the Stanford University ranking as a researcher, was patron of the graduation. In her speech, Osorio gave three tips to the students: pursue success, take advantage of all opportunities and do so from responsibility and maximum honesty. She also encouraged the new graduates to continue learning throughout their lives and to do so in full demand of passion for the profession.