The dental program at the University of New England is relatively new. The inaugural class began in 2013. Yet, already, the school has developed a reputation for excellence. The College of Dental Medicine promotes its blend of “time-tested methods and new innovations,” and that has given it a firm foundation from which to grow and develop.
The school's real hallmark, though, is that “students are treated as members of the profession from the moment they arrive on campus.” In fact, students work on simulated patients during the first year and, by their second year, provide patient care at clinics throughout New England. There's something special about receiving that level of respect right from the beginning of your program. It's energizing and can motivate you to be the very best version of yourself you can possibly be.
It's also an indication, though, of just how high the standards are in the College of Dental Medicine. Success isn't just about achieving academically. You're expected to behave like a professional from day one. That's a tall order. We all make mistakes, even dental students. What do you do if you make one? Or two? Or a whole handful?
You contact the Lento Law Firm. The Lento Law Firm was built to help students get fair treatment from their schools and to help them succeed even when they face problems. The attorneys on the Lento Law Firm Team know what you're up against. They understand the New England University CDM requirements and how the system works. If you've run into trouble, if you're facing dismissal, you owe it to yourself to contact them and find out what they can do for you.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Trouble in dental school typically comes in one of two types: academic or disciplinary. Let's start, then, by examining just what can get you into trouble in both of these areas.
- Academic Deficiencies: Your academic performance matters more than ever in dental school. You're not just trying to get into a graduate program—you're trying to demonstrate you have the knowledge and skills to practice a profession. To that end, the CDM treats all courses as Pass/ Fail. Either you master the skills you need, or you don't. If you don't, there are consequences. The Academic and Professional Standards Committee (APSC) meets at the end of each and every term to review student progress. Fail a course, and the APSC will likely require you to go through some form of remediation. Often, this means remaining behind a year while your cohort moves forward. However, you can also be placed on Probation for failing a course. Certainly, if you should fail a course a second time, you should expect Probation or even Dismissal from the program.
- Misconduct: Most students can recover from an academic deficiency. You'll find the faculty eager to work with you to improve. When it comes to misconduct, though, the CDM has very little tolerance for mistakes. Like any other University of New England student, you're expected to abide by the academic misconduct policy, the student code of conduct, and Title IX rules regarding sexual discrimination and harassment. In addition, though, dental students are held to a code of professional conduct. The Student Handbook talks about “Strict honesty as a personal way of life” and “accountability.” It also notes that your “personal conduct” is subject to review, even if that conduct isn't directly related to your studies. A DUI, for example, or a domestic abuse charge can be enough to get you dismissed from the program.
At the UNE CDM, the APSC evaluates professional conduct in conjunction with your academic progress.
The Adjudication Process at UNE SDM
The University of New England College of Dental Medicine does maintain some processes for challenging dismissal decisions, but those processes are limited.
- General academic, disciplinary, and sexual misconduct are handled under the University of New England Code of Conduct. That Code provides for a full investigation of any allegations and the right to a hearing. This means you have the opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses to testify, and cross-examine any witnesses against you. As part of this process, you also have the right to an advisor, and this advisor can be an attorney.
- Should you be charged with professional misconduct, however, or find yourself facing dismissal for academic deficiencies, the APSC makes its decisions in closed-door sessions. You can appeal dismissal decisions, but grounds for appeal are strictly limited to the discovery of new evidence or an allegation of procedural error. As with the initial decision, the appeal is considered behind closed doors, and you're not allowed to address the appeals committee.
An attorney can be a valuable asset any time you're taking on your school, but it's especially important to have a trained legal advisor at your side if your school limits your due process rights, as the UNE CDM does. An attorney from the Lento Law Firm may not be able to speak on your behalf at a hearing. Indeed, you may not even have the right to a hearing. What they can do is work with you to develop a defense strategy, help you gather evidence and draft documents, and make sure you are treated fairly at every step along the way.
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 any 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 an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. The Lento Law Firm team knows 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 the Lento Law Firm can do for you. Contact the firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
