Every parent has a moment when time seems to pause—when pride, gratitude, and purpose gather all at once. For our family, that moment came as we listened to our son, Kyle, recite the Oath of Commitment at his University of Toronto White Coat Ceremony. Hearing him pledge to serve others with compassion, integrity, and humility was profoundly moving. As dentists and as parents, we believe the most significant meaning in life is to serve others—and watching him embrace that calling was a feeling we will never forget.
The oath touched on values that define the very heart of dentistry: compassion, dedication, trust, lifelong learning, and service to the community. These are the principles we strive to live by every day in our practice, and knowing that our son is stepping forward guided by the same ideals fills us with tremendous hope for the future of our profession. Some of you remember when our older son, Justin, began his journey at U of T Dentistry. Today, his younger brother joins him—not just following a path, but creating his own. In his dental school application essay, when asked: “What is your greatest accomplishment?”, in his closing paragraph, he wrote something that connected deeply with our hearts that we will never forget:
“I have learned that true accomplishment lies not in accolades or recognition but in the lives we touch and the potential we help unlock. This is why I have chosen to highlight the positive impact I have made on children and youth I’ve worked with as my greatest accomplishment. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to positively impact the well-being of others, and I am equally grateful for how these experiences have shaped who I am today.”- Kyle Szymczak
Remembering those words, now standing beside him as he received his white coat, reminded us that the future of dentistry is not just in good hands—it is in caring hands. Hands shaped by service, empathy, and the desire to make life better for others.
To our patients, who have been part of our journey for so many years: thank you. You’ve watched our children grow, you’ve supported our practice, and you’ve trusted us with your care. We have always believed deeply in a straightforward idea: We treat our patients like we treat our family, our family takes care of your family. This moment only strengthens that promise.
From our hearts to yours, thank you for celebrating this milestone with us. Here’s to the next generation of compassionate dentists—and to the kindness, trust, and connection that continue to guide everything we do.
In the best interest of your health and well-being,
Dr. Adam and Dr. Joanne
P.S. University of Toronto White Coat Ceremony ( Kyle is at 1:15:25).