No one wants to go into dental surgery or even dental cleaning, wondering if their oral surgeon or dentist, or hygienist is fully qualified. You shouldn't be surprised, then, that your dental school holds you to high expectations.
Those expectations are especially high at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. This is a program with a rich tradition. The school's origins date back to the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, founded in 1840. It's also a school that's heavily invested in the future, with research projects on the cutting edge of dental science.
High standards are important, but there is a fine line between “high” and “unreasonable.” For the most part, you can expect the faculty and administration at UMSOD to recognize that you're a student. You can count on them to push you to do your very best, but it's rare for a professor that pushes too hard.
What do you do, though, if you happen to encounter one?
You turn to attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team. The Lento Law Firm was founded on the principle that all students deserve fair treatment, that they should be entitled to an education, and that a mistake or two shouldn't stand in the way of earning that education. Joseph D. Lento and his team know the law as it applies to education. They also know the University of Maryland School of Dentistry system. If you're facing dismissal for any reason, you can count on them to fight for your rights.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
There are primarily two reasons why you might be dismissed from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
- Academic Deficiencies: First, UMSOD has an extensive list of Academic Policies. You're expected, for instance, to attend “all scheduled lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, and clinical assignments” unless you've suffered an illness or some other emergency. The school maintains a Committee on Advancement and Graduation, which is made up of two sub-committees: the Preclinical and Clinical Progression Committees. Those committees review your performance at the end of each semester and have the power to set your standing status in the program. Students who maintain a 2.0 GPA are typically given Unconditional Advancement. However, should your GPA fall below that number or you miss too many classes or clinical hours, you can also be given Summer Remediation, Conditional Advancement, Probationary Advancement, or full Academic Dismissal.
- Professional Misconduct: You are also subject to a Professional Code of Conduct. That code contains prohibitions against things like trespassing, stealing, and cheating. Of particular importance, though, is adherence to the ADA Code of Ethics, the provisions of HIPAA, and general ethical treatment of patients. Conduct violations are reported to the Dean of the School of Dentistry. Possible sanctions include counseling, a letter of reprimand, repetition of a course or a year, loss of privileges, formal apology, restitution, community service, suspension, disciplinary probation, as well as outright dismissal.
The Adjudication Process at UMSOD
In all cases, you have the right to defend yourself from the threat of dismissal at UMSOD. How you go about defending yourself, though, will vary depending on the type of dismissal you're facing.
- Academic Dismissals: The School of Dentistry offers an appeals process for decisions made by Progression Committees. Appeals must be submitted, in writing, to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, within five days of receiving notification of dismissal. The Dean forms then forms an ad hoc committee with two departmental chairs to review the appeal and make sure it includes “compelling additional information” or “extenuating circumstances not previously considered.” If this committee believes the appeal has merit, it refers the matter back to the Progression Committee for further consideration. At no point are you allowed to address one of the committees involved in your dismissal. Decisions are made entirely behind closed doors based on the evidence. However, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team can help you formulate a defense strategy, gather evidence, and draft documents. More importantly, they can ensure you are treated fairly throughout the process.
- Professional Misconduct Dismissals: In the case of a serious, dismissible conduct offense, you are provided a formal hearing before the school's Judicial Panel. That hearing affords you the opportunity to present evidence and call witnesses. In addition, you have the right to ask questions of any witnesses testifying against you. Importantly, you may be accompanied by an advisor, and this advisor may be an attorney. Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team can't speak on your behalf at these proceedings, but they can be on hand to coordinate your defense and help you respond to questions.
Note that professional misconduct cases are decided using a legal principle known as “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this principle, decision-makers must find you Responsible if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed a violation.
No matter what type of dismissal you're facing, you can count on Joseph D. Lento and his team to be familiar with all judicial rules and procedures, to work with you to prepare your defense, and to make sure you're given all the rights you deserve.
Fighting for Your Future
Make no mistake: if you're facing dismissal, everything is on the line. You've worked for many years to get to this point. You earned an undergraduate degree; you spent hours studying for the Dental Admissions Test; you filled out applications, convinced referees to write on your behalf, and sat through difficult interviews. You've also put in the work since you were admitted to dental school: long hours of studying and even longer hours of clinical work. Expulsion means all of that work comes to nothing. It means trying to find an entirely new career. It means having to pay back any student loans you've accumulated without a dental degree to help you do it.
You don't want to go into this situation alone. Not only is everything at stake, but if your school is considering dismissal, it's already actively working against you. You need someone who's on your side, who has your best interests at heart, and who is willing to fight for those interests. You want Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. Joseph D. Lento and his team know the law as it applies to education. They also know how campus judicial systems work. They're highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and have helped hundreds of students just like you get the justice they deserve.
If you're facing disciplinary action, don't wait to see what might happen. Find out exactly what Joseph D. Lento and his team can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
