The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) models itself to “be a model for oral health education, discovery, and service,” offering degrees in general practice dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and other practices vital to the public’s oral health. What UKCD teaches matters, and that’s why students value their degrees from the College of Dentistry so highly.

If you are found responsible for unprofessionalism while at UKCD, the value of your degree could be diminished substantially. Even if you must ultimately accept some type of sanction related to alleged unprofessional conduct, it’s in your interests to fight for the least punitive sanctions possible.

Helping students is our job and our mission at the LLF National Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team has successfully assisted many dental students in avoiding sanctions and securing favorable disciplinary agreements.

Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online. Let’s get you the defense you need.

Students at UKCD Must Abide by a Professional Code

Students at the University of Kentucky’s Health Care Colleges, including the College of Dentistry, must abide by a Code of Student Professional Conduct. This Code is meant to promote “moral and ethical character,” which is critical to dentists maintaining their patients’ trust.

When a student faces an allegation of unprofessionalism, we must focus on the conduct prohibited by the University of Kentucky Health Care Colleges. This prohibited conduct includes:

  • Illegally using drugs

  • Any behavior that endangers patients or the general public

  • Deceptive or fraudulent behavior (including deliberately deceiving a patient)

  • Failing to ensure patient confidentiality

  • Engaging in “any course of conduct, act, or omission that would be considered unprofessional conduct as a basis for discipline…”

That’s right, one of the definitions of unprofessionalism is “unprofessional conduct.” This is akin to saying that the definition of water is “water”—it’s not helpful for those seeking to truly understand what professionalism is. 

Even With This Professionalism Code, the Problem of Subjectivity and Bias Make Dentistry Students Vulnerable

The aforementioned Code of Student Professional Conduct provides some specifics. However, the policy is relatively brief and contains massive voids, which means that:

  • Dentistry students have limited guidance about what does and does not constitute unprofessional conduct

  • Students are vulnerable to out-of-the-blue allegations of unprofessionalism—even though UK students love the color blue, such out-of-the-blue accusations are entirely unwelcome

  • Professors and others who might accuse you of misconduct may use their own subjective judgments to do so

  • A student may be especially vulnerable to unprofessionalism allegations if they have a strained relationship with a professor

A professor’s (or other accuser’s) unique conception of professionalism may dictate whether you are accused of wrongdoing. The issue of subjectivity does not end with the allegation, though.

Once you are accused, you may then face the disciplinary body’s subjective definitions of professionalism. Behavior you consider to be 100% acceptable, or even honorable, may be the basis of a misconduct allegation. Our Student Defense Team ensures that disciplinary proceedings are conducted fairly and objectively, not by the whims of subjective judgments and arbitrary decisions.

What Happens If I Am Accused of Unprofessional Conduct?

The UK Health Care Colleges Code of Student Professional Conduct explains that, after you are accused of unprofessionalism, you will: 

  • Complete a preliminary meeting with the Dean of the College of Dentistry, at which time you will either accept or deny responsibility for the alleged misconduct.

  • If you admit responsibility (which we do not advise), the Dean will outline proposed sanctions.

  • If you deny responsibility, the Dean will forward your case to the designated hearing committee chair

  • Complete a hearing (in the case that you deny responsibility for the unprofessionalism allegations), with at least four committee members hearing testimony, evidence, and arguments from those involved in the case

  • Get notice of the Dean’s decision, which will come after the hearing panel provides its report to the Dean

  • Have the opportunity to appeal any adverse ruling to the Health Care Colleges Code Appeals Board within ten days of receiving an unfavorable ruling

You have inalienable rights throughout this process, including to get a written copy of the reason for the hearing, question witnesses, and abstain from giving testimony yourself.

You also have the right not to incriminate yourself during your preliminary meeting with the Dean and throughout the other stages of the disciplinary process.

Our Student Defense Team will help you make the most of these rights while ensuring that you receive the full measure of due process you are entitled to.

Our Student Defense Team Knows What You Have to Lose. Let Us Fix the Cavity of an Unprofessionalism Allegation.

Dentistry students do not plan on being accused of unprofessionalism. When they are, they are often taken by total surprise and have little clue of how to react. Here’s a tip: Respond by engaging the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team, and we will handle the rest.

The worst thing you can do is to underplay the seriousness of the unprofessionalism allegation leveled against you. UK’s Health Care Colleges Code of Student Conduct notes that sanctions against students are cumulative, meaning that prior instances of disciplinary action can be held against you.

Whether or not you have any prior disciplinary action on your record, you may be facing:

  • A formal reprimand that stains your record (for prospective employers, as well as others, to see)

  • Compulsory attendance at community service, educational programs, or other corrective activities

  • Suspension from the dentistry program

  • Dismissal from the University of Kentucky

These sanctions can directly or indirectly impede your ability to practice dentistry in a limitless manner. You might be unable to earn your degree if you are dismissed. Even if you do ultimately earn a degree, the presence of discipline on your record could narrow your professional opportunities.

Take any allegations of unprofessionalism seriously, and bring in the professionals to craft the defense you need and deserve. Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us onlineto discuss how our priceless defense services will benefit you.

University of Kentucky College of Dentistry

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