Students are often surprised by just how difficult dental school can be. You spend four years as an undergraduate, and you get used to the undergraduate system. You know what it takes to do well in your courses, what your professors expect of you, and where to go when you have a problem. Now, suddenly, you're part of a different sort of system. Every course is vital; every subject must be mastered. And for the first time, your personal life is subject to scrutiny as well. It's not enough to get good grades; ethically and morally, you're supposed to be above reproach.
You wouldn't be the first student to struggle to make the adjustment. What do you do, though, if you find yourself falling behind or if you just can't make sense of all the many ethical and professional requirements the West Virginia University School of Dentistry expects you to meet? And, scariest of all, what do you do if someone has mentioned the D word to you—dismissal?
You contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are dedicated to helping students succeed. They're seasoned defense attorneys, but they work specifically in the field of student rights. They know the law as it applies to dental schools, and they know how the West Virginia University system operates. If you're worried your dental school may be planning to dismiss you, no one is better qualified to help you fight for your future.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Let's start with the basics. If you're being threatened with dismissal, it's likely for one of two reasons: either you're struggling academically, or you've been accused of committing some type of misconduct. You'll find information about both in the school's Academic and Professional Standards document.
- Academic deficiencies: Your first responsibility as a student is to attend classes and study. If you can't do those things or you fall behind academically, there are consequences. A low grade in a class or two, or an F, isn't usually enough to get you dismissed. More likely, you'll be assigned a remediation program, a chance to catch up and fix any deficiencies. If you continue to struggle, though, or if the school should decide you're not putting forth your best effort, you can be sanctioned with anything from probation to dismissal.
- Misconduct: Most academic issues can be solved with remediation. Issues of professionalism are a different matter. The West Virginia School of Dentistry has little tolerance for misconduct of any kind, and serious misconduct is often punished with dismissal. As a dental student, you're expected to meet all of the school's Professional Performance Standards. These include things like treating patients with respect, safeguarding patient confidentiality, communicating in a professional manner, and dressing appropriately. Many students, though, are tripped up by far more obvious mistakes, things like plagiarism, sexual harassment, and public intoxication. Keep in mind, as well, that breaking the law is grounds for dismissal, even if your offense has nothing to do with your work. Even a DUI can spell the end of your dental career.
All promotion decisions are in the hands of the school's Committee on Academic and Professional Standards. This committee meets at the end of each quarter to review student progress and, on an as-needed basis, respond to misconduct allegations. It has the authority to assign remediation or to initiate sanctions against you.
The Adjudication Process
You know what can get you dismissed. What is the process for defending yourself from dismissal?
- The Committee on Academic and Professional Standards makes its decisions in closed-door sessions. That is, you aren't allowed to address the committee or even to submit documents in your own defense.
- Once the committee has made its decisions, you do have the right to appeal. However, grounds for appeal are strictly limited to issues like
- Bias on the part of a committee member
- Discrimination based on race, sex, age, handicap, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin
- A sanction disproportionate to the offense
- A finding not supported by evidence
- Your first appeal is to an Appeal Reviewer. This Reviewer examines your statement and any documentation you might have to support your defense and then renders their decision.
- If you should dispute the Appeal Reviewer's decision, you may then appeal to the Dean. Like the Appeal Reviewer, the Dean reviews all written material associated with the case before making their decision.
- Finally, you have the right to appeal the Dean's decision to the Student Academic Hearing Committee (SAHC). This appeal entitles you to a full hearing. As part of this hearing, you have the right to present evidence, call witnesses, and ask questions of any witnesses against you.
Importantly, the WVU School of Dentistry allows you to obtain full legal representation any time you are under the threat of dismissal. Not only can an attorney from the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team accompany you to meetings and hearings, but they can conduct your entire defense on your behalf.
You don't need to have reached the stage of an SAHC hearing to benefit from a Lento Law Firm attorney's advice, though. The moment you suspect you might be in trouble, you should contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team to find out how they can help. An attorney from the firm can advise you on how to respond to questions, work with you to develop a defense strategy, and draft appeal documents. In fact, the longer you wait to retain legal representation, the harder it can be to mount a successful defense.
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.
