How good is the University of Michigan School of Dentistry? Over forty percent of all dentists in Michigan are graduates. And, since the school broke ground on a complete facilities renovation in 2018, students now have access to the most cutting-edge technologies available in dental studies.
You probably won't be surprised, then, to learn that the UM School of Dentistry maintains high expectations of all its students. That includes academic standards, of course, but also standards of ethics and professionalism. In fact, you can find yourself dismissed from the program even for personal failings that have nothing directly to do with your education. A DUI or a conviction for domestic abuse, and you could be looking for another career field.
High standards are important. None of us wants to show up for a dental appointment worrying whether our dentist, hygienist, or oral surgeon is truly qualified. There's a fine line, though, between high standards and unreasonable standards. You're still a student, after all. Most of your instructors and administrators understand that. What do you do when you come across one who doesn't?
You contact attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team. They believe all students deserve fair treatment, that you should be entitled to an education, and that a mistake or two shouldn't stand in the way of you earning your degree. More importantly, they have the background and experience to handle any problems you may encounter at the University of Michigan. They know the law as it applies to education; they also know the University of Michigan School of Dentistry system, and they've helped hundreds of students get their academic careers back on track.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Let's start with the basics. There are essentially two reasons why the University of Michigan School of Dentistry might decide to dismiss you.
- Academic Deficiencies: Your academic progress is reviewed at the end of every semester by either the Academic Review Board I or the Academic Review Board II, depending on where you are in the program. Both boards have the power to issue sanctions any time you fall below the school's established academic standards. For example, should you earn any grade below a C, the boards will typically assign you some form of remedial work. In addition, though, low grades can result in an Academic Warning, Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal.
- Professional Misconduct: Your professional and ethical conduct is subject to, if anything, more scrutiny than your academic performance. The dental school's Code of Academic Integrity and Professional Conduct requires that you maintain the highest standards of patient care, that you never come to work impaired, that you adhere to the strictest ethics when dealing with patient records, and that you earn your degree honestly.
Any complaints regarding professionalism are handled by the school's Review Committee, and this committee has the power to assign sanctions, including course failures, restitution, and service projects. Again, though, professional lapses are viewed as “extremely serious, and violations are more likely to receive “penalties including suspension or dismissal.”
The Adjudication Process at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Of course, you have the right to defend yourself from any attempt to dismiss you from the School of Dentistry. How you go about doing that will depend on the nature of the dismissal itself.
- Academic Dismissals: You have the right to meet with the Review Board to appeal any of its decisions. As part of that process, you may provide evidence to support your arguments. In addition, you have the right to be accompanied by an advisor of your choice, including an attorney. While Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team can't speak on your behalf, they can sit beside you, help you respond to questions, and suggest questions for any witnesses. As a check on the Review Boards' authority, you also have the option to file a complaint or grievance with the school's Executive Committee if you feel you've been treated unfairly. You can also use this process to challenge your instructor's decisions. Here again, you may choose an advisor as part of the hearing process, and this advisor may be an attorney.
- Professional Misconduct Dismissals: Allegations of professional misconduct are initially subject to an investigation carried out by one or two members of the Review Committee. These investigators report their findings to other members of the Review Committee sitting as a Hearing Panel.
In these cases, you have the right to a full hearing, where you may present your own evidence, call your own witnesses, and cross-examine any witnesses against you. You may be accompanied by an advisor of your choice, though they may not participate directly in proceedings.
You should also know that there are other types of misconduct at the University of Michigan that can get you dismissed from the dental program. The school has a Student Code of Conduct, for instance, and like any other college or university, it is subject to Title IX guidelines regarding sexual misconduct. Such cases are subject to their own rules of investigation and adjudication.
No matter what type of dismissal you're facing, though, you can count on Joseph D. Lento and his team to know all the relevant rules and procedures. They can work with you to craft a strong defense strategy and help you to implement that strategy.
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 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 Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. Joseph D. Lento and his team know 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 Joseph D. Lento and his team can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
