Smiles on Friday – May 29, 2026

Published May 29, 2026 by
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Smiles on Friday is our weekly update from around the ECU School of Dental Medicine. Follow the activities of students, faculty, staff and residents each week. If you want to receive the email version, please send a note to smilesonfriday@ecu.edu.

Man and woman exchanging dental products.

Rhonda Carlson always has a smile in our Sim Lab. She hands the typodont to D1 Nikhil Chintalapudi as the class prepares for the Endo module.

Students standing and sitting on a wall outside.

This week, many of our D3s and D4s joined Dr. Gary Oyster (center) for the NCDS Dental Student Advocacy Day in Raleigh.
Our students had a chance to meet many legislators and share their perspectives as dental students.

Woman holding pantry supplies at her desk.

Dominique Coleman from General Dentistry represented the “Workout Warriors” from Koinonia Christian Center. They donated food and hygiene items to our patient pantry.

Students sitting at a table.

As part of Tomorrow Starts Soon, incoming members of the Class of 2030 had a chance to meet their Big Brothers/Big Sisters. D1s Jarrett Peterson and Ryan Williams welcomed their “Littles” Evan Ko and Sam McNamara.

Man standing in front of a window.

Facilities Manager Allen Waggoner has witnessed the growth of the school from early on. After serving 34 years at ECU, 12 of them at the SoDM, he is excited about his next chapter—retirement.
Congratulations and thanks!

Have a great weekend! Smile!
- Greg

Send your Smiles on Friday photos to SmilesOnFriday@ecu.edu for an upcoming edition.

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