What started in 1962 with a class of 25 students has become an innovation-centric community partner boasting over 2,500 alumni worldwide, providing dental care to thousands across the globe. With several graduate and post-doctoral dental programs, the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Dentistry is recognized as one of the nation's best dental schools, with an international reputation for inventiveness in oral health education and a stalwart commitment to serving the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
An immaculate academic and professional record in a prestige dentistry program allows students to have a wide range of choices among beginning any medical program once they graduate. Maintaining perfection, however, is a grueling task as the UK College of Dentistry holds its students accountable for maintaining its premier standard of patient dental care. The slightest error in academic performance, patient care, and personal or professional behavior is scrutinized and may damage a student's path toward their vocation.
Unfortunately, respectable students can land themselves before the school's disciplinary board. The UK College of Dentistry's grievance process can be intimidating whether you're alleged to have committed academic or ethical misconduct. Regardless, you can obtain peace of mind to focus on your progression by hiring an experienced advisor with specific knowledge of student rights and discipline issues.
UK College of Dentistry Academic Standards and Integrity
To remain in good academic standing and be eligible to receive federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, the UK College of Dentistry requires its students to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) while enrolled. SAP evaluation occurs after the fall and spring semesters, and the dental student's complete academic history will be considered when determining SAP status, irrespective of whether they receive financial aid.
UK's SAP Policy for College of Dentistry Students includes the following quantitative requirements:
- Course completion ratio of 66.7 percent or higher
- Graduate within 150 percent of the published length of the program
- Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
- Pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part 1 and 2
If students fall below any of the aforementioned, they will be placed on academic probation and are directed toward remediation through various individualized assignments on a modified curriculum used to get the student back on track toward graduation. The Academic Performance Committee (APC) will monitor student progress throughout remediation. If a student placed in remediation fails NBDE Part 1 for the third time or does not complete the modified curriculum within the maximum time allowed by the APC will be dismissed from the school.
Students must also refrain from any prohibited academic conduct. The UK Code of Student Conduct details the following constitutes a violation of their standard of academic integrity:
- Abuse of academic materials
- Cheating
- Fabrication
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized collaboration
UK College of Dentistry Behavioral and Professional Standards
Along with academic requirements, UK dental students must abide by strict behavioral and professional standards. As stated in the UK Health Care Colleges Code of Student Professional Conduct, students must possess the qualities of appropriate professional moral and ethical character, and the following are prohibited in their academic and professional careers:
- Breaches of patient data privacy
- Emotional instability
- Excessive tardiness
- Illicit substance abuse
- Improper use of social media
- Public acts of indecency
- Refusal to treat patients due to demographic characteristics
Disciplinary Hearing Process at UK College of Dentistry
Once the college is aware of any alleged misconduct, the Director of Student Conduct will investigate to determine if an official procedure is necessary to redress the situation. If the Code of Student Conduct is violated and the student elects not to manage the situation through an informal process, a Notice of Alleged Code Violation will be sent to the accused student no less than two business days before the hearing.
Depending on the severity of the misconduct, the accused student will appear in front of either the three-member UK Community Hearing Board or the five-member Registered Student Organization (RSO) Hearing Board. The hearing process will proceed as follows:
- The Chair of either Board will convene the hearing and state the allegations.
- The complainant (accuser) and respondent (accused) will make opening statements.
- Both parties will present evidence and witness testimony.
- Parties and the committee may question the complainant, respondent, and witnesses.
- The complainant and respondent will make closing statements.
- Following the hearing, the Board members will determine responsibility based on a preponderance of the evidence standard.
Within seven business days after the hearing, a written decision will be issued to the respondent and all appropriate parties. The decision will include a determination of responsibility, rationale for the sanctions imposed, and notice for an opportunity to appeal the decision.
UK College of Dentistry Sanctions
The UK College of Dentistry states the following sanctions may be levied:
- Class or assignment removal
- Remediation
- Suspension
- Dismissal
- Revocation of degree
Appealing UK College of Dentistry Disciplinary Action
Dental students may file requests for appeals to the University Appeals Board (UAB) within seven business days of the receipt of the determination. The UAB will deliberate appeals within five business days on the following grounds:
- Deviations in the investigation, hearing, and determination of responsibility procedures were "significantly prejudicial" and would alter the outcome of the hearing.
- New evidence emerged following the hearing that would have changed the outcome and subsequent determination of responsibility.
- The sanctions imposed were inappropriate or excessive for the corresponding violation.
Hiring Joseph D. Lento to Defend Against UK College of Dentistry Discipline
No dental student facing misconduct allegations should face the matter without the help of an experienced professional. Pressure from regulatory boards and the public to maintain a pristine reputation can sometimes lead disciplinary boards to levy unfair sanctions, severely harming a student's prospects.
Joseph D. Lento has years of experience in student discipline matters. He and his team at the Lento Law Firm have helped dental students nationwide achieve positive outcomes in student disciplinary hearings, appeals, and other conflicts so they can continue their studies. They have often brokered beneficial resolutions on behalf of their student clients with a school's Office of General Counsel (OGC).
There is no excuse for facing remediation, suspension, or dismissal alone. Call the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 to get the extra help you need or visit the online consultation form.
