If your dental school is considering dismissing you, you cannot afford to take the situation lightly. The fact is, dismissal likely means the end of your career in dentistry. You can't just transfer to another school like you could as an undergraduate. Dismissal is basically the end of the line.
In other words, the situation is serious, and you should treat it that way.
It isn't hopeless, though. The University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry can't simply dismiss you without allowing you due process. You do have the right to appeal decisions, to argue for your innocence, and to mount a defense.
The Lento Law Firm can help. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team was founded on the principle that students deserve fair treatment. The firm's attorneys are well-versed in the law as it applies to education. In addition, they're familiar with the University of the Pacific system and how it operates. They're experienced with campus judicial procedures, and they've helped hundreds of students protect their educational and professional futures. If you're facing dismissal—any type of dismissal—don't try to handle it yourself. Instead, find out what the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can do for you.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Most dental school dismissals happen for one of two reasons: either you're struggling to keep up academically, or you've committed some form of misconduct.
- Academic Dismissals: Perhaps the most obvious reason for being dismissed from the School of Dentistry is simply failing to meet academic standards. The school's Academic Performance policy requires you to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. That includes all didactic coursework as well as all clinical courses. In addition, in order to graduate, you must have no permanent Ds or Fs on your transcript. Any time you fall below these expectations, you can be placed on Probation. Probation comes with its own set of expectations, and if you can't meet these, you can be Disqualified from the program altogether.
- Misconduct Dismissals: Dentist is a position in the public trust. As such, dentists are expected to maintain the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Thus, while there's a process in place to help you improve academically, if you should mistreat a patient or violate patient record confidentiality, you can be dismissed immediately. Of course, it goes without saying that professionalism requires that you abide by all the University's basic rules of conduct. This includes the Student Code of Conduct, the Academic Honesty Policy, and federal Title IX guidelines regarding sexual misconduct. Violations can be dismissable offenses in and of themselves, but they also raise questions about your professionalism.
The Student Academic Performance and Promotions Committee evaluates your progress at the end of each term and makes decisions regarding promotion. This committee has the power to recommend sanctions like Probation and to assign remediation programs. It also has the power to recommend dismissal.
The Adjudication Process
The Student Academic Performance and Promotions Committee doesn't allow student input into its decisions. That is, you have no opportunity to address the committee or even to submit statements and documents defending your record. However, you can appeal a committee decision to the Student Appeals Committee. That process varies depending on the specific nature of the dismissal.
- Academic Appeals: Academic dismissals don't happen automatically. Students are given a number of opportunities to improve before they are dismissed. As a result, such dismissals aren't normally subject to review. However, you can appeal an academic dismissal if you can show that your due process rights were violated in some way. This includes procedural errors, arbitrary decisions, or decisions based on some type of bias.
- Misconduct Appeals: Misconduct dismissals are usually based on an accusation, and that means you have the right to refute the charges. You'll likely have the chance to make your case in a hearing before the Appeals Committee—to submit evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine any witnesses against you.
You may or may not be allowed to bring an attorney with you to meetings and hearings, someone to advise you on procedural matters. In either case, though, an attorney from the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can play a vital role in helping you build your defense. They can work with you to gather evidence, assist in drafting documents, and even coach you on how to respond to difficult questions. Most importantly, they can keep a close eye on the process itself and ensure no one violates your fundamental rights as a student. No matter what the specific charges against you, it's always in your best interest to contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team the moment a problem arises.
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 an attorney from the Lento Law Firm Team.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team was built to help students. The Lento Law Firm Team knows 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 the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can do for you. Contact the firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
