Most dentistry students know and accept that their conduct will be evaluated throughout their academic careers. Many don’t know just how uneven and subjective professionalism standards are, though.

Future dentists (and hygienists) studying at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine (WesternU CDM) may be shocked to find that their professionalism is in question, and it’s apparent why. Often, these allegations are purely the accuser’s opinion, rather than a statement of fact.

Still, even questionable allegations can lead to severe consequences for the accused. Get the defense you need and deserve by calling the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contacting us online.

What Does WesternU CDM Designate as Unprofessional Conduct?

The College of Dentistry’s policies demand that students demonstrate professionalism in several aspects of their academic and clinical studies, including:

  • Communication: Students must be proactive and direct communicators, and this is one of the aspects of professionalism in which misunderstanding and miscommunications can result in accusations of unprofessional conduct.

  • Interpersonal interactions: WesternU CDM enrollees are expected to implement “psychosocial and behavior principles in patient care.”

  • Appearance: One’s grooming, hygiene, and dress can be cited as grounds for an unprofessionalism complaint.

  • Practice management: Students must comply with laws governing the practice of dentistry.

  • Patient care: Patient safety is paramount in the field of dentistry, and students at WesternU are expected to show the utmost concern for their patients’ well-being.

  • Technical skill: Perceived deficiencies in a student’s technical performance can be the basis for an unprofessionalism allegation.

These are only a few of the guidelines that dentistry students are expected to abide by without fail. It’s a tall task, and the task is made even more difficult when the rules become muddled by subjectivity and uneven enforcement.

Subjectivity Is the Shadow Looming Over Every Allegation of Unprofessional Conduct

No two instructors at WesternU College of Dental Medicine have precisely the same idea of what professionalism is. Some may prefer a student to be direct and vocal with their concerns, for instance, while others may consider such direct communication to border on insubordination.

As we have represented many dentistry students over the years, we have seen some common (and concerning) trends related to unprofessionalism accusations:

  • Even when students refer to college policies, they face unclear expectations about what “professional conduct” entails.

  • Students are judged by seemingly contradictory criteria. For instance, if a student raises their voice when alarmed about an imminent threat to patient safety, they might be accused of speaking disrespectfully. In such a case, the demand that they prioritize patient safety and also remain professional in their communication would be at odds.

  • Preexisting bias between a student and their instructor (or another type of accuser) increases the likelihood that the student will be accused of unprofessional conduct.

  • The very judgment that a student has behaved unprofessionally is precisely that—a judgment, rather than an objective fact

These are holes in many misconduct allegations, and we exploit them as we lead the student’s defense. While some accusations are flimsier than others, scrutiny often reveals flaws in an allegation of unprofessional conduct.

How WesternU College of Dental Medicine May Resolve Your Unprofessionalism Allegation

Policies that span the College of Health Sciences detail how misconduct is reported, investigated, and ultimately adjudicated. Here is how unprofessional conduct that meets the misconduct threshold may be adjudicated:

  • The perceived unprofessional conduct is reported: A report of unprofessional conduct must include details of the perceived misconduct and the reporting party’s signature.

  • The Department Chair reviews the complaint: The Department Chair must ensure the complaint falls within their jurisdiction and has enough merit to warrant further investigation.

  • The student is notified of the Dean’s decision: If the Dean elects to proceed further with the complaint, they may determine if the student is responsible for the alleged misconduct. If so, the student accused of unprofessional conduct will be notified in writing of the Dean’s finding and the sanctions they intend to impose.

  • The matter may be escalated to the Student Performance Committee (SPC): If the Dean voluntarily refers the case to the SPC, or the student does not accept the Dean’s finding of responsibility (or proposed sanctions), the SPC will take over the case.

  • The SPC conducts a hearing: The SPC adjudicates alleged misconduct by hearing. A hearing generally involves the accused student presenting and questioning witnesses, presenting evidence, and making an oral argument in their defense.

  • The Dean of the College of Dental Medicine makes a decision: After the hearing, the SPC will share its findings and any sanctions recommendations with the Dean. The Dean will then issue their ruling, which will likely reflect the SPC’s input.

  • The student appeals, if they need to: If a student is found responsible for misconduct or disagrees with the severity of sanctions against them, they generally have the right to appeal, given the grounds to do so.

Appeals often highlight flaws in the adjudication process, new evidence, or a substantial gulf between the alleged misconduct and the severity of sanctions. The LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team prepares every case as if an appeal will be necessary, as there is often little time to lodge an appeal once a decision is rendered.

Let Our Student Defense Team Be the Advocates You Deserve

Suspensions, dismissals, and even lesser sanctions can do more damage to your career than you might recognize right now. Your reputation for professionalism is worth its weight in gold. Like gold, any flaw in your reputation can diminish its value, and by extension, the career you will have in the dental field.

You have only one chance to defend yourself against an unprofessionalism allegation. Make the most of that opportunity right now by calling the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contacting us online.

Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine

Tell About Your Case

How a Cell Phone Policy Violation Can Escalate Into a Serious Disciplinary Issue

The cell phone bans sweeping the country’s K-12 schools in the last few years may sound good on paper—and educators overwhelmingly support them—but what do you do if what began as confiscation of your child’s phone has escalated into significant disciplinary action? The Student Defense Team at the LLF National […]

Taking a School District in WA to Court to Protect Students’ Title IX Rights

The LLF National Law Firm’s Education Law Team will be suing a school district in Washington state for its failure to meet its Title IX reporting obligations in the case of an elementary school student who claims they were bullied and sexually assaulted. The student, a third grader, now suffers […]

Questions About AI Use at One University Reflect Broader Concerns

A report from Montreal’s Concordia University that looks at student AI use over the 2025–2026 school year shows us a microcosm of the broader trends at work not just in Canada, but in the U.S. as well. Here’s what we’re seeing in the report: Students are using AI in their schoolwork — […]

Special Education Oversight, Office of Civil Rights Leave DOE; Critics on Both Sides Weigh In

In a move designed to “peel back the layers of federal bureaucracy,” as Education Secretary Linda McMahon puts it, the Trump administration is relocating oversight of programs for special education and civil rights enforcement: Special education programs administration is moving from the Department of Education (DOE) to Health and Human […]