Getting into dental school is a feat in and of itself. You must excel in your undergraduate courses and prove that you deserve a place in a program that is highly competitive and exclusive. At Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health, students are expected to uphold good grades, master the simulation clinic, progress through the program in a timely manner, and abstain from any type of dishonest conduct. Sometimes, students are unable to meet these expectations, and when that happens, they may find themselves in front of a dismissal committee.
Attorney-advisors have the knowledge and understanding of the college regulations to advocate on your behalf. If you or someone you love is having a hard time in dental school and has found themselves called before the administration, Lento Law Firm can help. Call our offices today.
Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health Code of Conduct
Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health asks its students to a meticulous code of conduct, which includes academic and professional responsibilities, like:
- Refraining from harassment or discrimination
- Not harming or abusing another person's property while on campus
- Reporting criminal offenses to the Dean's office as soon as possible
- Not bullying or cyberbullying
- Not hacking computers or websites
Within these regulations is the request that students uphold academic honesty. The antithesis to academic honesty is academic misconduct, and while the exact definition changes from dental school to dental school, it basically encompasses cheating and plagiarism. At Missouri, academic misconduct is specifically defined as the following:
- Cheating: helping someone else on an assignment or exam, copying someone else's work, or using materials to take your exam or do your assignment without the instructor's express permission.
- Submitting the same assignment for multiple courses without permission.
- Plagiarism: pretending that someone else's work, thoughts, or ideas is your own on an exam or other academic assignment.
If you are caught violating the code of conduct, you will be placed before a dismissal committee. An attorney-advisor will work tirelessly to ensure your side of the story is heard so that you can continue to pursue your dental dreams.
Remediation at Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
During dental school, the administration must ensure that their students are progressing through the program at an appropriate speed and with the required grades. At the end of the year, they will review each student's grades and determine if a remediation program is necessary. Students who receive less than stellar grades on an exam or other assignment may be given the option to redo it. A remediation program must be completed by a specific date in order for the student to continue in the program. If not, the student may be dismissed from the program altogether.
Students who are given the opportunity to remediate a course or exam and are still unable to pass, or if Missouri does not provide you with the option to remediate, an attorney-advisor can help.
Dismissal Proceedings at Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
All graduate programs have disciplinary proceedings for when a student violates the code of conduct. In addition to potentially being placed on academic probation or suspended, students can be dismissed from the program altogether. In order for a dismissal proceeding to take place at Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health, the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, dean of the college or school, or the Standards and Ethics Board.
If a dismissal hearing is initiated, the student will be notified and given the opportunity to agree to the determination or appeal it. When a student chooses to appeal the decision, a hearing will be scheduled. During the hearing, both the student and the university will be allowed to present evidence and witnesses. Once their decision is made, they will notify the student and allow them ten days to appeal a second time. The Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs will review this appeal and either affirm the decision of the dismissal committee, strike it down, or modify it.
The point of the hearing is to advocate for yourself fully. Unfortunately, some students do not prepare fully for these proceedings and are unable to continue with their program. Working with an attorney-advisor is the best way to ensure your case is heard and your position in dental school is secure.
How an Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Dental school is a very competitive environment. Students are held to high expectations, and some students are unable to meet these expectations. When that happens, an attorney-advisor can help mitigate any negative consequences you might experience. If you or someone you love has been accused of violating the school's code of conduct, whether it is academic misconduct, failed remediation, or some other reason, an attorney-advisor can help.
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have the experience and skill to ensure you the best possible outcome for your case. They understand how to navigate the nuances of dental school issues like academic misconduct, remediation, and dismissal proceedings. Call our offices today at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation or visit us online. You shouldn't have to worry about being barred from pursuing your dreams. We can help.
