If you're facing dismissal from dental school, you can't afford to take the situation lightly. Everything is on the line. And, while you're probably used to your school being on your side, in these cases, it's your adversary.
What do you do to protect yourself?
You contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know the law as it applies to education. Just as importantly, they know how the University of Utah School of Dentistry operates. They know who to talk to when you're in trouble and what to say. They know how the judicial procedures work. They know your rights and how to protect them.
More important than what they know is their absolute commitment to your educational and professional futures. They believe in you, they're on your side, and they're prepared to do whatever it takes to get you the justice you deserve.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
It will come as no surprise to you to learn that the UT School of Dentistry expects you to excel in your coursework and clinical hours. Dental school expectations are higher than undergraduate expectations, but you've already been through four years of college. You know the drill. You might be surprised, though, to learn that misconduct—even minor misconduct—can get you dismissed, and usually much faster than an academic deficiency.
The University of Utah School of Dentistry Handbook offers useful information on both sets of expectations.
- Academics: Good standing at the UU SOD means maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0. Anything below that number, or a course failure, usually results in a sanction, such as Probation. You may also be assigned a remediation plan to correct any deficiencies. Should you continue to struggle, though, or fail to complete the requirements of your remediation, you are subject to complete dismissal from the program.
- Misconduct: A single academic mistake isn't usually enough to get you dismissed from the School of Dentistry. A single instance of misconduct can be. Like any University of Utah student, you're required to abide by the Student Code of Conduct. Likewise, you're expected to demonstrate academic integrity, and you're subject to federal Title IX guidelines regarding sexual misconduct. In addition to all of these basic requirements, though, you're also expected to master ethical and professional competence standards. Things like violating patient confidentiality or failing to attend to your clinical duties can quickly lead to dismissal.
The Associate Dean of Education imposes all sanctions at the UU SOD. However, the Dean's actions are based on recommendations made by the school's Academic and Professionalism Review Committee (APRC). This committee meets regularly to review all student progress and, as needed, to consider allegations of misconduct.
The Adjudication Process
The APRC typically makes its decisions without input from students. That is, you aren't given an opportunity to address this committee when it reviews your record. However, once the committee has made its decisions, you have the right to appeal.
Because academic sanctions are generally based on objective fact, appeal in these cases is usually limited to issues like an arbitrary or capricious decision or the demonstration of bias or prejudice on the part of a committee member. Misconduct dismissals, on the other hand, are always subject to appeal.
In either case, an appeal involves a hearing before a university Appeal Panel.
- Prior to the hearing itself, a Student Accountability Officer conducts an investigation into the facts of the case. This Officer will likely interview you to get your side of the case. In addition, they'll collect physical evidence, review documents, and speak with any relevant witnesses.
- At the hearing, you are entitled to make an opening and closing statement, introduce evidence, call witnesses to testify, and ask questions of any witness testifying against you.
- At the conclusion of the hearing, panel members employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to decide the case. In simple terms, “preponderance of the evidence” requires them to find you “Responsible” (guilty) if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
The University of Utah allows you to choose an advisor to assist you at your hearing, and this advisor can be an attorney. In fact, the school's judicial procedures allow an attorney from the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team not only to accompany you to the hearing but also to speak on your behalf.
You don't have to reach the hearing stage of a case to need an attorney, though. You should contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team the very moment that you think you might have a problem, even if the APRC hasn't yet issued a sanction. An attorney from the Lento Law Firm can play a vital role in helping you respond to any questions. They can work with you to gather evidence and draft documents. They can assist you in submitting your appeals. The earlier you act to defend yourself, the more likely you'll get the best possible outcome for your case.
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 Team.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team 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 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
