The University of Louisville School of Dentistry (UofL) goal is committed to serving the dental health needs of its community by providing ground-breaking and modern education to future dentists. As such, they expect their students to uphold certain academic and professional standards, including excellent patient-centered care and a willingness to continue their education long after they end their academic careers. With such high expectations, it's no wonder some students find it hard to cope and begin to feel extremely overwhelmed. Overwhelm can push students to behave in ways they normally would not. For instance, even the most ethical of students may consider cheating on an exam if it means not having to face a potential dismissal hearing.
If you or someone you love is in dental school and is having a hard time, an attorney-advisor can help. Call our offices today.
University of Louisville School of Dentistry Code of Conduct
At UofL School of Dentistry, students are expected to abide by a particular code of conduct. This code covers both their academic and professional behavior, including:
- Maintaining patient confidentiality
- Making sure to act legally in all matters
- Making sure to uphold HIPAA Guidelines
- Acting responsible for their actions that affect others
In addition to the rules above, students must also uphold academic integrity. This means that they must refrain from committing acts of academic misconduct, including:
- Giving or receiving help before, during, or after an exam without the instructor's permission
- Using an electronic device during a preclinical or clinical evaluation, examination, or assessment without the instructor's permission
- Allowing someone else to do preclinical or clinical laboratory work in another student's name
- Misrepresenting their attendance
- Falsifying an entry in a patient record
- Misrepresenting patient communications, verbally or within their patient record
If a student at UofL School of Dentistry is accused of violating these policies, they may be referred for dismissal by the Student Progress and Promotion Committee (SPPC). An attorney-advisor can help you defend yourself from such allegations.
Remediation at University of Louisville School of Dentistry
Most institutions understand that all students learn differently. Therefore, graduate programs with a focus on health sciences offer their students opportunities to retake courses, clinicals, or exams if the promotions committee determines that the student has a hard time keeping up with their work. At UofL School of Dentistry, student progress is reviewed by the SPPC at the end of each academic year. If the SPPC notices that a student is struggling, they will approve them for a remediation plan to help get them back on track.
Remediation plans are generally executed during the summer between dental school years. In order for a student to progress to the next year, they must successfully complete the remediation plan on time. If a student fails to complete the remediation plan, they could be forced to retake the entire year. Additionally, in some cases, failed remediation plans could lead to a dismissal hearing with the SPPC.
It should also be noted that there have been cases where students were never offered remediation plans or denied access to one despite the school offering it to others. If this happens, an attorney-advisor can advocate for your best interest.
Dismissal Proceedings at University of Louisville School of Dentistry
At UofL School of Dentistry, the SPPC evaluates the dental students throughout the year. If they notice that a student is unable to meet the standards of academic progress, they could be dismissed from the program. Only the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs has the power to dismiss a student, but this can only be done after the recommendation of the SPPC.
Students can be dismissed for a myriad of reasons, but most commonly, it is for committing one or more of the following acts:
- Having two or more failing grades in one academic year
- Having eight hours of failing grades in a single term
- Getting a failing grade while on probation or failing to meet the requirements during a probationary period
- Having a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000
Initially, the SPPC will notify the student of the issue and offer them the opportunity to attend a performance evaluation hearing. During this hearing, the student can present witnesses, evidence, and a strong defense on their behalf. The SPPC will review the information and determine if a dismissal is necessary. If so, they will refer the matter to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for a final interpretation.
If the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs agrees with the SPPC, they will notify the student of their decision. But the student can appeal this decision within five days by filing an appeal with the Dean. Your appeal should include the basis for your argument. The Dean will make their decision within five days. This decision will be final and cannot be appealed further. Additionally, students who are dismissed for poor academic performance or ethics violations, cannot be readmitted at a future date.
How an Experienced Attorney-Advisor Can Help
When you are placed before a disciplinary committee, asked to attend a dismissal hearing, or are having a hard time requesting a remediation plan, the best thing you can do is work with an attorney-advisor. Attorney-advisors have a unique history with students who have found themselves in similar situations as yourself. They not only understand the nuances of the law but also the best ways to advocate for students.
Many students believe that they can sufficiently defend themselves on their own during these proceedings. But unfortunately, these students will find themselves suffering from unnecessary consequences that an attorney-advisor could have expertly mitigated. For instance, if you are dismissed or suspended from UofL School of Dentistry and you decide to pursue your education elsewhere, you will have to explain the incident on every application and in every admissions interview. This could affect your ability to get into these other schools, pushing off your dreams of becoming a dentist even further.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have spent years helping dental students facing such issues, as discussed above. They will work tirelessly to gather evidence and present witnesses on your behalf, lessening any consequences that might come your way. Call our offices today at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation or visit us online.
