Don’t Let an Unprofessionalism Allegation Chomp Up Your Future in Dentistry. Instead, University of Florida Dentistry Students Should Retain Us.

The University of Florida College of Dentistry (UFCD) is, like UF as a whole, known as a prestigious institution. Those who graduate from the dental school with a clean record and high marks can, for the most part, glide into a decades-long career with the smoothness of a pontoon on Newnan’s Lake.

Here’s the issue: Not every UF Dentistry student reaches the graduation stage. Many graduate, but their records are blemished by disciplinary actions, remediation, and other demerits that can diminish those graduates’ stock in the professional marketplace—and threaten their quality of life because of that diminished stock.

UFCD has a clearly defined system for documenting alleged unprofessionalism, but even such a regimented framework is imperfect. “Professionalism” is a subjective term, yet an allegation of professionalism can be objectively harmful should you face any disciplinary action as a result of the allegation.

Let the experienced, proven LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team pursue the ideal outcome to the less-than-ideal circumstances you find yourself in. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to get your personalized plan of action and have us put it into action for you.

The UF College of Dentistry Tracks Unprofessional Conduct by a Points System

The University of Florida College of Dentistry does not just define unprofessional conduct. It ranks the severity of unprofessional conduct on a point scale from 1 to 4.

• One Point: Dress code violations, failure to promptly return university-issued equipment, and not signing out before leaving the clinic are offenses that can result in one point against the student

• Two Points: Being so unprepared that a student cannot treat a patient, being disruptive during class, and failing to collaborate with others are some of the many offenses that can result in a two-point penalty

• Three Points: Having another student sign you into class when absent, failures in the treatment of patients, and deviating from infection-control protocol are serious offenses that can trigger three points against the student

• Four Points: These most serious violations, known as Critical Variances, include forgery, practicing without a license, intentional destruction of property, and misrepresentation

There are also Sharps Violations, which UF literature describes as “an unacceptable and dangerous lapse in judgment.” A first Sharps Violation garners a warning, a second offense garners a three-day suspension and one point, and a third violation results in three points and an automatic referral to the Student Performance Evaluation Committee (SPEC).

While the provided literature is not specific about how many points (in a semester or total) can result in a SPEC referral or the failure of a professionalism course, we know that four-point offenses can result in “suspension, dismissal, or additional disciplinary action” after a mandatory referral to the SPEC.

If UFCD Officials Decide You’re Unacceptably Unprofessional, You Could Lose Everything You’ve Worked So Hard to Achieve

It’s not hyperbole to say that unprofessionalism-related actions against you could be a devastating development for your dentistry career. In an already competitive industry where reputation is everything, you could be severely affected by:

• Academic probation, which is a possibility because UFCD requires students to complete professionalism courses—meaning that, in some instances, unprofessionalism could be considered an academic issue

• Retracking, which is the UFCD word for “remediation”—the mandatory re-taking of coursework due to substandard performance

• Suspension, including but not limited to suspension from clinical patient care

• Dismissal, which is the worst-case outcome for students accused of unprofessionalism at the University of Florida College of Dentistry

Once you are accused of unprofessionalism, you must:

• Acknowledge that any sanction can adversely affect your reputation and career in dentistry—even a comparatively “minor” sanction can be harmful

• Recognize that the adjudication is not always fair, and you will need to actively advocate for yourself (rather than letting the process “play out”)

• Invest in yourself by retaining the LLF National Law Firm—considering the cost of schooling and the long-term harm that can result from discipline, letting us defend you should be a no-brainer

Our Student Defense Team has the time, training, and temperament necessary to achieve the best possible outcomes for dentistry students facing discipline or remediation.

The Student Performance Evaluation Committee (SPEC) May Resolve Any Unprofessionalism Issues You Face

The UF College of Dentistry’s literature suggests that professionalism is viewed similarly to academics. It even notes that “Professional Variances are housed in the Professionalism Courses.”

The SPEC handles many “professional or conduct issues,” and the steps in the SPEC procedure are:

• The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs schedules an interview with the student

• The student and the Associate Dean discuss the circumstances that have led to the referral

• The SPEC reviews all relevant information and votes on the outcome it believes is most appropriate

• The Associate Dean notifies the student of the SPEC’s decision

Students have multiple ways to appeal, including appealing directly to the Dean of the College of Dentistry. Our Student Defense Team leads such appeals for the students we represent, as these can be the last opportunity to enact a favorable decision in a case involving alleged unprofessionalism.

If the UFCD elects to handle your case as an Honor Code Violation, we are familiar with this alternative adjudication process.

Let the LLF National Law Firm Come to Your Aid When Your Reputation Comes Under Fire

We cannot emphasize it enough: There are few professional fields in which one’s reputation is more important than dentistry. Integrity is everything, and suffering severe disciplinary actions during your academic career can cause prospective employers to question that integrity—and ultimately choose not to hire you.

This is not to say that you can necessarily avoid discipline, remediation, or other outcomes that can stem from allegations. The goal is to mitigate harm to the greatest extent possible. We will determine what that means in your case, and our team will fight with a gator-like ferocity to secure the best possible outcome for you.

Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online as soon as possible. Time is in short supply whenever you’re defending yourself and your career in dentistry, so don’t hesitate.