The origins of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry (ULSD) date back to 1887. While much has changed in the profession of dentistry since then (when Grover Cleveland occupied the White House), the expectation that ULSD students adhere to the highest standard of professionalism has remained constant.

Honesty. Trustworthiness. Collaboration. Cooperation. Respect. Confidentiality. Safety. These are among the many terms associated with professionalism, specifically in the field of dentistry. Yet, these terms are also vague, leaving ample room for interpretation, exceptions, and subjective perception.

When dentistry students are accused of violating professionalism expectations, there is most often more to the story than a guilty student. It’s critical that you tell your side of the story in full. If you’re wise, you’ll allow the LLF National Law Firm to work tirelessly for a disciplinary outcome that shields you from long-term professional harm.

Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to get the hard-nosed, strategic representation you deserve.

The Code of Professional Responsibility: ULSD’s Guiding Framework for Student Behavior

University of Louisville Dentistry is unique in combining professional and academic expectations into a single document that serves as the guiding framework for student behavior. This document is the Code of Professional Responsibility, and it details several types of professional misconduct—one or more of which you might be accused of:

  • Untruthfulness, including making any untrue (or half-true) statements meant to mislead faculty

  • A lack of integrity, which can include misrepresenting one’s own (or another student’s) attendance in academic or clinical activities

  • Disrespect for others’ property, including but not limited to theft and destruction of others’ property

  • Unlawful behavior, as violating any local, state, or federal law, constitutes a violation of ULSD’s Code of Professional Responsibility

  • Lack of self-responsibility, including performing academic or clinical duties while impaired or diminished in any way

  • Failure to show others dignity and respect, which may include speaking disrespectfully or dismissively towards patients, peers, or superiors

  • Disregard for patients’ interests, possibly including sharing confidential information about the patient’s health

Even when we provide specific examples (like “speaking disrespectfully”), there is still room for interpretation. An interaction that one person might consider “disrespectful” may seem completely normal to another.

If These Rules of Professionalism Seem Straightforward, Think Again

The issue of subjectivity requires more discussion. As much as ULSD’s Code of Professional Responsibility might seem straightforward, the subjective nature of this document means that it is not, in fact, straightforward or obvious.

Here are a few examples that illustrate how subjectivity complicates issues of “professionalism”:

  • In an emergency situation, a U of L Dentistry student raises their voice and speaks curtly to a colleague

  • A student’s family member has an unexpected, potentially fatal health event, and that student misses a clinical obligation and fails to inform their instructor as they race feverishly to see their loved one at the hospital

  • A student makes a mistake while operating on minimal sleep, as they chose to show up for their clinical duty while sleep-deprived rather than have another student cover for them

Would you call any of these instances “unprofessional”? Or, instead, would you characterize them as understandable or even entirely appropriate?

The answer to these questions depends on who you ask, and that’s the point. When a student is accused of unprofessional conduct, the viewpoints and even biases of the accuser carry outsized importance—which means that allegations of unprofessionalism are rarely objective or cut-and-dry.

The Code of Professional Responsibility Also Details Adjudication Procedures for Alleged Unprofessionalism

ULSD’s Code of Professional Responsibility is an all-important document because it not only sets the standard for professionalism but also explains what happens when a student is accused of unprofessional conduct.

The first adjudication measure detailed by this Code is a potential initial resolution. Those who might have the authority to resolve the unprofessionalism complaint against a ULSD student include:

  • A faculty member who believes they witnessed unprofessional conduct

  • A course or program director

  • The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

The party seeking to resolve the issue may investigate and identify the mode of resolution they deem most appropriate (we will discuss those possible outcomes shortly).

The Student Review Council is “the body that is responsible for administering the Code of Professional Responsibility,” and may become involved in your case if you do not reach an initial disciplinary agreement.

Should your case reach the Student Review Council, you will likely undergo a hearing. Post-hearing, the Student Review Council will communicate its recommended action to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The Dean will rule on the case.

Am I Able to Appeal If the Dean Issues Unfair Sanctions?

After you receive notice of the Dean’s ruling, you can request that they “reconsider” that ruling. If the Dean does not agree to reconsider, or their reconsideration yields a result you are not satisfied with, you may pursue a grievance.

Sanctions ULSD Authorizes for a Violation of the Code of Professional Conduct

There are two primary outcomes to the ULSD adjudication process:

  1. The administration of no sanctions: This is the best possible outcome for you, as your ULSD record would not be tainted by a formal finding of misconduct

  2. The administration of sanctions: Possible sanctions include a reprimand, disciplinary restrictions, probation, suspension, dismissal, and permanent expulsion from ULSD

You must take a long-term view to understand why any such sanctions are a serious threat, and why our Student Defense Team fights so passionately for the students we represent.

When prospective employers and other parties of consequence see disciplinary action on your record, they may very realistically choose not to hire you. This can cause a cascading avalanche of lost opportunities, diminished earnings, untapped professional potential, disappointment, and regret.

While sanctions are sometimes inevitable, you should choose to pull out your entire defensive arsenal—including the potent resource that is our Student Defense Team—in defense of your career in dentistry.

Let the LLF National Law Firm Stand Between You and Career-Changing Discipline

Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online as soon as you or your student receives notice of an accusation of unprofessionalism.

We will tell you more about our experience, resources, and capacity to help you through this tough time in your dental career.

University of Louisville School of Dentistry

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