UF College of Dentistry

05/29/2026

The Class of 2028 has officially reached a defining milestone: their White Coat Ceremony.
This moment marks the transition from classroom learning to caring for patients, where their skills begin shaping the oral health of their future communities. What better way to celebrate National Smile Month than stepping into the clinical phase of their journey.

Dr. Bruna Garcia, their advisor, knows the weight of this moment. Reflecting on her own experience, she recognizes the mix of excitement and nerves that comes with applying everything learned so far. She reminds the class that UFCD faculty and staff stand firmly behind them, ready to guide and support them through the next two years.

Dr. Garcia wants the Class of 2028 to feel confident knowing she’ll be there every step of the way byanswering questions, navigating challenges, and championing their success.

Congratulations, Class of 2028. The future of dentistry looks bright! 🦷🔶🔷🥼

05/29/2026

The Professional Coating Ceremony for the class of 2028 will be streamed TODAY at 3PM (EST). Tune in as they’ll reach a new milestone on their road to their finish line!

05/20/2026

“The dentists who emerge from the University of Florida are among the very best in the country,” Dean A. Isabel Garcia said during the college's 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

On May 15, the UF College of Dentistry celebrated 155 graduates -- 94 new D.M.D.s and 61 residents completing advanced specialty training -- while honoring the charter class that laid the foundation more than 50 years ago.

Read about this milestone moment and the voices that made it memorable:

UF College of Dentistry celebrates Class of 2026 Commencement while honoring the Charter Class that started it all.

05/15/2026

Just an hour until our 2026 Commencement commences! Final prep includes Abel Gilbert, who coordinates the family hooders (we call him Hoodini), giving instructions on how the hooding works.

05/14/2026

At five years old, Aileen Cruz Lezama already knew what she wanted to be when she grew up: A Dentist! Her early positive experiences when going to the dentist helped pave her way to dental school. She says she liked the feeling of her teeth being clean, plus having the chance to play video games during her appointment made it an even more encouraging and enjoyable time.

Throughout her time in dental school, she was able to foster community among her peers, go on student organization trips and get involved in community service. She discovered her love for Oral Surgery, gained interest in Public Health and improved her motor skills that did not come easily at first. It was practice and guidance that helped her master the craft.

Now, as the materialization of what 5-year-old Aileen dreamed to become is a reality, she will be going to St. Pete to complete the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program (AEGD), taking her knowledge to the next level.

Congratulations, Dr. Aileen Cruz Lezama!
🦷🎓🔶🔷

05/14/2026

2026 Commencement will be live streamed for family, friends, loved ones and supporter unable to attend in person starting tomorrow at 2:00 PM EST.

Click the following link: https://mediasite.video.ufl.edu/Mediasite/Play/22b32e239dbb4a68ba64c4ec5ec661bb1d

05/13/2026

Alexis’s journey to graduation can be summarized in three powerful words: self‑awareness, resilience, and giving back. By turning her personal experiences into strengths, she proved that being a “perfect student” isn’t necessary to become a professional who can excel in the field of dental health. During admissions, she highlighted this pluralistic perspective scope of talent among our student body.

Her work at the FreeDOM Clinic further put her learning into practice, allowing her to serve patients inside and outside of the Gainesville community while deepening her commitment to public oral healthcare. This hands‑on experience shaped her vision for the future: building a career dedicated to helping others.

Alexis knows that her success is rooted in multiple sources. Mentorship played a pivotal role, and she’s proud to have walked this path alongside classmates and her Gator Dentist Family. From a small town in Pennsylvania to North Central Florida, she is now ready to continue serving the communities she’s part of with the best dental care possible.

Congratulations, Dr. Alexis Selli!
🦷🎓🔶🔷

05/12/2026

The UF Health Craniofacial Center leads statewide care for infants born with cleft lip and palate, providing early intervention that improves feeding, guides facial growth and reduces the need for future surgeries.

Using techniques such as presurgical infant orthopedics and advanced in‑house nasoalveolar molding (NAM fabrication), clinicians gradually align tissues to prepare babies for optimal surgical outcomes. This coordinated, multidisciplinary approach supports families through a treatment journey that spans from birth through adolescence.

05/12/2026

The saying goes: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” That captures the path walked by soon‑to‑be Dr. “Zigg” Francis, who will add the esteemed D.M.D. to his last name.

It took him 15 years to reach the finish line, which will be sealed and certified with his diploma at the commencement ceremony on May 15th. During those years, “Zigg” did every job possible, learned how demanding and challenging dental school is, yet he was never alone. At each step along the way, his wife, mom, friends, family, and faculty (shoutout to Dr. Sandow!) stood with him to support and encourage him.

Zigg feels immense joy, immeasurable gratitude, and a strong desire to give back, holding the door open for those who wish to pursue their true passions.

Congratulations, Dr. Francis! We look forward to seeing you grow even wiser in the Oral and Maxillofacial Department.

🦷🔶🔷