During dental school, you will face several challenges, including a lack of free time, studying for intense examinations, and ensuring you uphold every aspect of professional responsibility you become aware of. All of the stressors can culminate in academic progression issues, professionalism deficits, or academic or behavior misconduct. If any of these scenarios occur during your time in dental school, you may find your future dental career at risk.
In addition to the academic issues many dental students face, they may also face accusations of Title IX violations, cheating, or inappropriate behavior while working with patients. If you or someone you love is facing any of these issues, an attorney-advisor can work on your behalf to mitigate any negative consequences that might occur.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento has spent years working with dental school students who are accused of violating some aspect of their school's expectations. He has the experience and know-how to ensure you the best possible outcome for your case. Call today.
Dental Student Academic Issues
Attorney Lento is an experienced attorney-advisor for dental school students in trouble and has spent nearly 20 years passionately advocating on their behalf. Most dental students do not understand the inner workings of their university's disciplinary process and do not prepare fully. When the day comes to defend themselves, they try to wing it and are wholly unsuccessful. Attorney Lento is an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of the law. He will be able to dive into your university's policies to determine the best course of action for your case.
In some cases, this may mean reaching out to resolve the issue diplomatically, through negotiation. But in other scenarios, it may involve additional effort, such as reaching out to potential witnesses and gathering evidence on your behalf. Whatever the case calls for, with Attorney Lento by your side, you will be well protected.
Academic Progress and Remediation in Dental School
Many students entering dental school do not realize how difficult the process will be. Most students who apply to dental school are go-getters with Type A personalities who are used to making excellent grades and standing out among their peers. But if every student in dental school is like that, the competition to succeed is massive.
There will be some students who are unable to progress academically according to the university's suggested outline. These students will be subjected to academic progress evaluations and could face dismissal from dental school. Sometimes, these students will be given the opportunity to remediate a course, exam, or clinical they are having trouble passing. In those situations, the student is given the opportunity to retake the assignment in the hopes that they will understand the material better the second time.
Unfortunately, there are several administrations that do not propose remediation to the student and instead place them before the dismissal committee. If your dental school has decided to call you before the dismissal committee or will not allow you to remediate, Attorney Lento will fight back on your behalf.
Professionalism Concerns in Dental School
Dental schools have exceptionally high professional standards for their students to meet. If a dental student is accused of violating these standards, they may face severe sanctions, like suspension or expulsion from the program. Usually, these issues stem from acts that happen off-campus or involve criminal acts, drugs or alcohol, or claims of sexual harassment or assault. They may also include violations of patient confidentiality and inappropriate behavior when working with a patient.
The definition of “professionalism” may change from school to school, and unfortunately, that means that many schools tend to act before hearing the student's side of the story, forcing the students out of their programs prematurely. It is important to remember that you are able to appeal dismissal proceedings, and Attorney Lento can help.
Title IX Violations in Dental School
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual coercion, sexual battery, sexual assault, and rape. In order to receive federal funding, all colleges and universities must abide by the regulation and create clear and specific guidelines surrounding these types of incidents.
If a dental student is accused of a Title IX violation, they will be put through a laborious and meticulous administrative process to determine if the allegations have any weight behind them. The process is supposed to be used to determine the truth, but unfortunately, it is often used to punish the alleged defendant student. Under Title IX, all students accused of violating it are afforded due process, which includes having the right to an attorney-advisor who will represent them.
Title IX cases should not be taken lightly. They are extremely complex and have considerable consequences, including completely stopping a career in dentistry before it even begins. Attorney Lento can make sure that not only are your rights protected but as is your future career by creating a strategic defense on your behalf.
Academic Misconduct Issues in Dental School
At the beginning of each school year, dental students are given a handbook that outlines the academic and behavioral expectations the university has for its students. These expectations include academic integrity.
Academic integrity is defined differently from school to school but generally constitutes acting with honesty, fairness, and respect. Essentially, academic integrity is the opposite of academic misconduct, which includes such acts as:
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized assistance
- Giving unauthorized assistance
- Submitting the same assignment for multiple courses without permission
- Posting, selling, or distributing course or exam materials without permission
Academic misconduct may result in sanctions that live on your transcripts long after you finish dental school. These notations on your transcript can mean lower employment opportunities or not being able to finish your dental education at all. Whatever the potential consequences, you must defend yourself adequately against these accusations if you hope to continue a career in dentistry.
How an Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Attorney-advisors, like Attorney Lento, have spent their careers helping students in similar situations. They understand how university disciplinary processes work and will work diligently to ensure your dentistry career does not end before it is even given a chance to start. Contact Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 today for help.
