“Dismissal” may be one of the most difficult words a dental student can hear in a missive from their school. Yet dental school dismissals are becoming increasingly common, as American dental schools emphasize their stringent adherence to academic excellence.
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry is no exception. It's one of the most consistently high-ranked dental schools in the country, and any student that gets into UCLA School of Dentistry has much to be proud of…and many incredible resources (from cutting-edge research tech to exceptional curricula and beyond!) to get excited about.
Unfortunately, if you get dismissed from UCLA School of Dentistry, you'll no longer have access to those resources. In addition, your road toward practicing as a professional dentist will become much longer and harder than it needs to be.
If you're worried that a dismissal may stand between you and achieving your dental degree, don't delay. You need to take action to protect your reputation right now. Contact premier Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team, and we'll help you determine your next steps.
Why Would UCLA School of Dentistry Dismiss Me?
If you're a high-performing student that tends to follow the rules, you may not think you're in danger of experiencing a dental school dismissal.
That may not be the case. There are many reasons why a student may (allegedly) merit dismissal. Not all of these reasons are easy to know ahead of time.
For example, according to the UCLA code of conduct (and the UCLA School of Dentistry policies), if a student is associated with any of the following, they may receive a notice of dismissal from their school:
- Weapons violence
- Bullying
- Extreme hazing
- Drug-related offenses
- Stalking
- Sexual misconduct
- Sexual violence
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized collaboration
- Failure to progress
That last bullet may require a little explanation.
If your school representatives — e.g., your educators or your administrators — do not believe you are progressing through your programs as quickly as you should, or if you're not making good enough grades, you could get suspended or even face dismissal.
This sounds scary. It should. You need to know what to do if your school reaches out with notice of sanctions that are a relative surprise.
What Should I Do if UCLA School of Dentistry Tries to Dismiss Me?
The first thing that UCLA School of Dentistry will do when initiating its disciplinary process is to send you a formal notice. You'll get this notice either in the mail or via email. This notice should include your school's official reasons for pursuing your dismissal. Note this rationale, look at your school's code of conduct, and learn as much as you can about what your school is trying to do.
Then, retain premier Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team. This might feel a little early on in the process to get lawyers involved, but — trust us — it isn't. We've seen hundreds of these cases, and the initial investigation is vital for your ultimate sanctioning. Often, schools make up their minds about student responsibility for punishable actions during the investigation, which means you need our help to ensure that the investigation goes as well as possible.
Your school's investigation may include a review of your past academic performance. Representatives from your school may even speak with your professors and peers. You may also be asked to give a statement.
When your school's investigation is over, you should keep an eye open for the following:
- An invitation to a formal hearing. This hearing will be mandatory. During this hearing, your school will speak with witnesses, review collected evidence, listen to your argument, and determine its view of your responsibility for your alleged infractions.
- A disciplinary decision. At the end of the hearing, your school will weigh everything and issue a recommendation for the sanctions you'll need to undergo. If your school believes you have been involved in one of the actions mentioned above, there's a good chance your school will move to dismiss or suspend you.
When this happens, you'll need to decide what to do next.
What Are My Options After a UCLA School of Dentistry Dismissal?
Your main three options after your school tries to dismiss you are as follows — in the general order you'll go about completing them:
- Filing an appeal directly with your school;
- Having the Lento Law Firm Team negotiate directly with your school's office of general counsel;
- Dropping a lawsuit if your case's specifics make it clear that this is a good option for you!
The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm will help you understand your options and determine what you should do next to reach your preferred outcome.
Facing a Dismissal and Don't Know What to Do? Call the Lento Law Firm Team
If you take away one thing from this page, it should be this:
Dismissals are serious. The impact of getting sent away from your school will last far longer than it takes to find another program to admit you. But fortunately, you don't have to accept your dental school dismissal. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help you take strategic steps to protect yourself and your future.
Once the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry indicates that it's considering dismissing you, retain the services of the Lento Law Firm as quickly as you can. Then, our team will be on the case: We'll help you uncover evidence supporting your experience, dive deep into the School of Dentistry's code of conduct, and hold your school to your due process protections. We'll help you mount a strong defense, file strategic appeals, and even file a lawsuit if your situation requires it.
Need help? Stressed about what could happen? Ready to take your first step toward a more preferred outcome? Contact premier Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Student Defense Team by calling 888.535.3686, and we'll schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
