Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) has a long history of producing qualified dental hygienists, and this year was no different. In addition to being impressed by the recent grads’ accomplishments, the crowd was dazzled by the glitz and glamor of the newly minted hygienists donning the traditional graduation regalia for the first commencement ceremony in program history.
Twenty dental hygiene graduates and their supporters braved the winter weather on Saturday, December 13, 2025, to attend the Dental Hygiene Recognition Event at the IU Indianapolis Campus Center Theater. The event featured many notable speakers from IUSD, including, among others, Dean Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch and Dental Hygiene Program Director Professor Twyla Rader.
Dean Murdoch-Kinch opened the ceremony by congratulating graduates and reiterating the need for improving access to oral healthcare throughout Indiana and beyond. “Your graduate will be part of the solution to this major public health problem,” she said. “Their impact—whether through patient relationships or collective impact on entire communities—will be significant.”
“This ceremony is also a historic one—for the first time, as the dean shared, our dental hygiene students are wearing academic regalia in this specific program. Academic regalia symbolizes a long-standing tradition in higher education, representing scholarship, achievement, and the transition from student to graduate,” said Professor Rader. “The caps, gowns, and hoods honor centuries-old academic customs and visually distinguish different levels of academic accomplishment. The caps and gowns you see today represent not only academic success, but also the respect and recognition this profession deserves.”
Attendees also heard from Professor Jared Hirtzel and what he learned from his unconventional path to dental hygiene. “There are so many ways that we can give back to our communities. As you begin your careers, I want to challenge you to think beyond the operatory. Be advocates not only for oral health but for overall health.”
Next up was Dental Hygiene President of the Class of 2025 Sophia Twaddell as she shared her experiences gained across her time at IUSD. “These two-and-a-half years have not been easy. In fact, quite the opposite. However, there is not one frustrating experience I have in my mind that didn’t aim at making me a better professional in the long run.”
With pride, Professor Rader acknowledged students’ hard work and encouraged them to carry the values of compassion, professionalism, and integrity with them into their careers. “Let those guide you in every decision you make,” concluded Professor Rader. “Go forward with confidence, lead with kindness, and always remember, always do the right thing for your patients, for your profession, and for yourself!”