Watching second-year dental students walk across the stage to receive white coats - many of whom have family members in the profession - makes it easy to believe U.S. News and World Report is correct in placing dentistry as No. 1 on its “100 Best Jobs of 2017” list.

The list is made up of careers with the highest opportunity for growth in the coming years as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The jobs were given a score based on measurements of median salary, employment rate, 10-year growth volume, 10-year growth percentage, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance. After analysis, dentistry scored the top ranking.

The University of Mississippi School of Dentistry's seventeenth annual white coat ceremony took place last Friday night in the UMMC Conference Center at the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center. Thirty-seven students received white coats to signify their transition from the classroom to clinic-based learning. Nine of those students are following in the footsteps of a mother, father, sister, brother or cousin.

Forty-one women received free screening for cervical, breast and skin cancers last Saturday at the UMMC Cancer Institute clinics at the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center.

“UMMC and its partners provided a fantastic opportunity for participants to receive cancer screenings, which otherwise would have been difficult to access,” said Dr. Stephen Raab, professor of pathology, who led efforts to get a grant to cover some costs and to provide the screening opportunity. “This activity shows that UMMC employees and community participants can break down barriers to work as a multidisciplinary team to provide much-needed care for the underserved population of Jackson and the rest of Mississippi.”

Health providers know increasing screening for cervical and breast cancer will reduce deaths. Many cervical abnormalities caught early can be treated before they become malignant. But not all women have access to screening or can afford it. Last Saturday, the women also could choose to be screened for acral melanoma, a type of skin cancer that primarily strikes African-Americans.

Several interesting events are scheduled for the upcoming week at the Medical Center.