Dentists occupy a unique place in society. It’s important that the general public trusts dentists, which is why dentists are bound to follow the ADA’s professional standards.
Understanding what professionalism means as a dentist begins in dental school. The problem is that professionalism can mean different things to different people. Flexible definitions of professionalism can result in arbitrary charges and disciplinary action.
Located on Long Island and part of the New York Metropolitan Area, the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine is fully accredited with both the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the New York State Education Department. The school is part of the university’s Health Sciences Center.
Allegations of unprofessionalism can derail your dental career before it even begins. If you’re a student at Stony Brook facing allegations of unprofessionalism, contact the Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out an online form.
Professional Conduct at Stony Brook
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine expects students to maintain an acceptable level of professional behavior. Maintaining professional behavior is a requirement for students to be promoted each year, and this includes not only actions but also maintaining a professional appearance.
Professional conduct standards come from multiple sources, including dentistry’s generally accepted standards. The school expects students to abide by the following:
- The School of Dental Medicine Honor Code
- All relevant Stony Brook academic policies and procedures
- The ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct
- All applicable state and federal laws
To demonstrate professionalism at Stony Brook, students are expected to maintain high standards of honor and integrity. Dental students have a responsibility to not only actively uphold these standards but also expect their classmates and colleagues to do the same.
Professionalism includes considering the best interests of patients and society. Stony Brook states that, when a student’s personal self-interest conflicts with a patient’s best interests, the patient’s best interests should take precedence.
Stony Brook Student Handbook
The School of Dental Medicine’s student handbook emphasizes that working as a dentist requires the highest standards of honor, ethics, and professional behavior and appearance. This requires students to follow the School of Dental Medicine Honor Code.
The burden to know and understand professional expectations falls to dental students. As professionals, they’re responsible for addressing any problems or asking questions. They should not be passive participants in their education or when setting an example of professional conduct.
For example, the Stony Brook Handbook states that students are responsible for becoming familiar with and following any written rules of conduct and professional behavior at any academic, clinical, or research site at which the student trains.
Some of the ways students can demonstrate professionalism include showing respect for patients, faculty, staff, residents, and fellow students. Students should avoid certain behaviors, such as violence, harassment, and discrimination, as they are inherently unprofessional and destructive.
Students should also avoid making any demeaning or derogatory remarks, or giving destructive criticism. Such comments and words can undermine professionalism and damage relationships.
Academic Standing Committee
The Academic Standing Committee (ASC) is a group of faculty members in charge of maintaining the standards and policies listed in Stony Brook’s student handbook. This includes disciplinary action.
For example, after being found to have failed to maintain acceptable academic ethics and professional behavior, ASC places the student on academic probation. The student will only return to good standing after they have satisfactorily completed:
- An ASC required remediation program.
- Additional training or programs on ethics and professionalism.
These types of disciplinary actions are one way the Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm can help students. We work with our clients and their schools to minimize disciplinary actions and avoid needlessly burdensome requirements that undercut a student’s education.
Dental students need to remember that schools aren’t their allies in disciplinary matters. When accused of professional misconduct, students need an ally and advocate, such as the Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm, whose primary focus is protecting their education, career, and future.
The Honor Code and Standards for Professional Conduct
Stony Brook’s Honor Code includes not only professional, academic, and social requirements, but also information on how the school responds to reported violations of the Honor Code.
Stony Brook has four pillars for its expected professional conduct for students. Students are expected to show respect for:
- Patients
- Fellow students
- Faculty, staff, and community members
- Laws, policies, and regulations
Honor Code Violations
Stony Brook’s Honor Code has different procedures than the student handbook for dealing with alleged violations of the Honor Code. The Honor Court, not the ASC, will oversee the hearing about Honor Code violations.
As part of their professional obligations, students have a responsibility to report any violation of the school’s Honor Code. Failing to report an alleged or known Honor Code violation is itself a violation of the Honor Code.
Dental students are advised to first confront an alleged violation privately. Alternatively, they may arrange to have an Honor Court member at that meeting or working as an impartial mediator.
If the initial meeting either finds a definite violation of the Honor Code or a possible violation, the next step is a full hearing with the Honor Court. A hearing in front of the Honor Court allows accused students to call witnesses. These hearings should be confidential.
Honor Court Hearing
The following steps should occur during an Honor Court hearing:
- Both side present their version of the facts.
- The Honor Court decides if the student violated the Honor Code.
- If a violation occurs, the Honor Court will evaluate the case and decide how to resolve it.
- The Honor Court presents its decision to the parties.
- The student has the opportunity to appeal if they disagree with the court’s decision.
For any violation of the school’s Honor Code, a dental student must repair all breaches of trust as part of re-establishing their reputation. They must also re-sign the Honor Code Pledge.
If you’ve been accused of violating Stony Brook’s Honor Code, it can have serious and long-lasting implications for your professional reputation. The Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm can help you navigate the process and limit damage to your reputation.
Protect Your Future
Maintaining professionalism is an important part of being a dentist. Arbitrary definitions of professionalism and overly harsh disciplinary action, however, don’t help anyone.
If you’re a dental student at Stony Brook and facing allegations of violating professional conduct standards, don’t assume the school will be on your side or that it isn’t a big deal. These types of charges can derail your career, up to and including being expelled from school.
You’ve worked too hard to have your career end before it begins. Contact the Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out an online form.