As future dentists, dental students are joining a profession that requires a unique position of trust. Dentists are bound by the ADA’s ethical and professional standards, and students are expected to begin to follow those same rules and expectations.
The problem is that professionalism can mean different things to different people. Students may face allegations of unprofessionalism for comments made in their private time. A minor infraction may result in an out-of-proportion disciplinary action.
Allegations of unprofessionalism can derail your dental career before it even begins. If you’re a Kornberg student 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.
Temple Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct
The second-oldest dental school in the United States and a leader in research, the Kornberg School of Dentistry is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The school’s teaching, research, and clinic spaces are located in North Philadelphia.
The Kornberg School of Dentistry has an Honor Code for its students. The Honor Code focuses on honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct, and students are bound by it as soon as they are admitted to the school.
The expectations for students begin immediately. As honesty is generally considered a hallmark of professionalism, Kornberg states that any misrepresentation on a student’s initial application can be grounds for dismissal once discovered.
In addition to the Honor Code, dental students at Temple are expected to also abide by the university’s Student Conduct Code. When there are conflicts between any policies for the Kornberg School of Dentistry and Temple University, students should use the university’s Student Conduct Code, which is the primary and controlling policy.
Neither the university nor the Kornberg School of Dentistry has a Code of Professional Conduct. Expectations for students, however, have an implied understanding of behaving in a professional manner. Requirements in both the Student Conduct Code and Honor Code list many of the same requirements as the ADA’s Code of Professional Conduct.
The Kornberg School of Dentistry Honor Code
The Honor Code performs the following functions:
- Set the minimum requirements of the moral standards required by students and professionals who work in dentistry.
- Manage and respond to any breaches of ethical behavior and any violations of Kornberg’s rules.
- Recommend sanctions against those who violate any part of the Honor Code.
Dental students are expected not only to personally maintain the requirements of the Honor Code but also to expect other students to maintain the same standards.
Dental schools have the right and responsibility to ensure students are meeting the professional’s high ethical and moral requirements. This includes acting in a professional manner. For students, problems with honor codes and ethical standards tend to fall into the following categories:
- Arbitrary or vague definitions of professionalism and ethics
- Inconsistent enforcement
- Overly harsh disciplinary action
The Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm works with dental students to help them navigate allegations of unprofessionalism and Honor Code violations. We advocate for our clients to protect their education and careers and to make sure their rights are protected throughout the process.
The Student Conduct Code
Temple University’s Student Conduct Code doesn’t explicitly mention professionalism. Several of its requirements for student behavior and conduct are similar to the ADA’s Code of Professional Conduct. For dental students, understanding how expectations of student behavior relate to expectations for working dentists can help prepare them for their future careers.
False Information and Professionalism: An Example
For example, intentionally providing false or misleading information is a violation of Temple’s Student Conduct Code. The ADA requires that dentists be truthful, and its Code of Professional Conduct states that dentists have a responsibility not to mislead patients or provide false information on care to patients.
While Temple’s code doesn’t explicitly state that false or misleading information relates to unprofessionalism, a dental student who provides allegedly false information while working in a clinic has potentially violated the ADA’s Code of Professional Conduct.
In cases when the student did give someone wrong information, the question becomes whether the student did so intentionally. If the student did make the statement, the focus shifts to building a case that shows that the student committed an innocent, unintentional mistake.
The nature of the information can also matter. Providing incorrect information about clinic parking, for example, is much different than giving a patient wrong advice about dental hygiene.
While a student who unintentionally provides wrong information may still face some disciplinary action, the key is that the disciplinary action should be proportionate to the alleged violation. A student who makes an innocent mistake shouldn’t be disciplined in the same manner as a student who intentionally spreads false information.
Even with innocent mistakes, students shouldn’t assume that a school will automatically go easy on them. The Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm’s primary focus is representing our clients and protecting their rights.
Protect Your Future
With the unique position of trust that dentists hold in U.S. society, expecting a high level of professionalism from dentists isn’t surprising. Dentists as a whole benefit from the profession, expecting individuals to show a high level of conduct and ethics.
The problem is that, in an effort to “protect” the profession, students can be caught by arbitrary ideas and definitions of professionalism. Flexible guidelines can result in inconsistent enforcement. Overly harsh disciplinary action doesn’t help the public.
If you’re a dental student at the Kornberg School of Dentistry and facing allegations of violating professional conduct standards, don’t assume the school will be on your side or that an allegation isn’t a big deal. These types of charges can damage your reputation, affect your professional opportunities, and 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.