The Iowa College of Dentistry emphasizes that dental professionals have unique responsibilities, which require a high level of ethical and professional behavior. Part of the college’s mission is to prepare its students for the expectations for dentists’ conduct and actions.
Having high standards for dentists is good for the profession, except that such requirements can be applied arbitrarily. Students may be subjected to disciplinary action more severe than their alleged misconduct. Innocent mistakes that have nothing to do with a student’s ability to work as a dentist may be interpreted as serious infractions.
Allegations of unprofessional conduct can derail your dental career before it begins. If you’re an Iowa dental student facing allegations of misconduct, contact the Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out an online form.
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics
Located in Iowa City, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics (UI COD) is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). For students, one advantage of attending this program is that the state has one of the lowest costs of living in the U.S., and Iowa City is less than an hour from Cedar Rapids and less than two hours from Des Moines.
Iowa dental students must follow the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics Student Code of Conduct as well as any other relevant university policies. The dental code of conduct references the need for dentists to meet high ethical and professional standards, and the code is intended to help students understand those requirements.
The Iowa Dental Student Code of Conduct
The Iowa Dental Student Code of Conduct mixes academic policies with conduct expectations that are similar to the ADA’s Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. The ADA’s code is binding on dentists. Iowa dental students are also expected to follow the ADA’s requirements.
In addition to the usual university policies on things such as attendance, discrimination, and harassment, students also have to meet requirements for patient care, confidentiality, and consent. Students are also expected to meet the requirements in the ADA’s Code of Professional Conduct.
Iowa and ADA Codes
The Iowa Dental Student Code of Conduct and the ADA have some overlapping requirements. For example, both require students to be truthful in representing care and treatment options to patients.
Both expect practitioners to do no harm, including knowing their limitations. For dental students, doing more than their knowledge and education level requires is especially important. Ignoring faculty advice or overreaching may constitute unlicensed practice, which carries severe penalties both at the University of Iowa and with the Iowa Dental Board. This is the case even for innocent mistakes about what dental students can and cannot do.
Similarly, practicing, even if supervised, while under the influence of any controlled substance can result in disciplinary action. This is true for both dental students and dentists.
Iowa dental students must also follow drug, alcohol, and substance abuse policies above and beyond typical university rules. Students must take care not to provide, prescribe, or distribute any drug or substance without a license or permit. Similar to unlicensed practice, even an innocent mistake can carry serious repercussions.
For students, many violations of the Iowa Dental Student Code of Conduct are serious because they overlap with the ADA’s expectations for dentists. Violating any part of the ADA’s code may result in disciplinary action as an Iowa student.
Students facing misconduct allegations may also be facing violations of the ADA’s expectations for dentists, which can call into question their ability to provide the expected level of care to patients.
One issue with any code of professional conduct is that what is and isn’t professionalism is subjective. Generational and cultural differences, for example, can mean that professional conduct means different things to different people. For students, this may mean they’re facing allegations of misconduct based on biased or arbitrary standards that come down to a difference of personal opinion.
Students should at no point simply agree to any charges, fail to respond to charges, or waive their due process rights. No matter how ridiculous or silly the charges may seem, such allegations can have serious, long-lasting implications on a student’s education and career.
Students should take every opportunity to present their side. The Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm works with our clients to help them understand their options and be proactive when defending against charges.
Collegiate Academic and Professional Performance (CAPP) Committee
Any alleged violations are referred to the Collegiate Academic and Professional Performance (CAPP) Committee. CAPP handles all disciplinary actions with UI COD.
Some of the disciplinary actions that CAPP can take against students:
- No action
- Dismissal of the current accusation
- Professional probation
- Recommendation for suspension
- Recommendation for dismissal
This isn’t a comprehensive list, but it highlights why students should take any allegation against them seriously. Students shouldn’t assume an accusation is minor or that a school won’t do anything. Students need to be proactive and take advantage of every opportunity to present their side of events, introduce evidence, and otherwise advocate for themselves, their education, and their future.
The Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm works with our clients to build evidence-backed cases to minimize the damage of allegations and charges against them. No one has more to lose than you when you’re facing misconduct charges.
Protect Your Future
Just getting to dental school means you’ve worked hard and dedicated years of your life to get to this point. Being accused of professional misconduct may not only affect your education and future career, but it can also affect your reputation and the opportunities available to you both in school and after graduation. When facing an allegation, students need to respond promptly and professionally to the charges against them.
Accusations of professional misconduct can derail your dental career before it begins. If you’re an Iowa dental student who is facing allegations of unprofessional conduct or other misconduct charges, the Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm is here to advocate for you. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out an online form.