As the only dental school in the Rocky Mountain region, the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SODM) attracts talented students from both in-state and out, and these students understand that their very best will be expected throughout their years of dental study.

Still, knowingly or unknowingly, students’ conduct sometimes falls short of the lofty professionalism standards that CU SODM (and the competitive, high-stakes dental industry) demands. In other cases, students are accused of unprofessional conduct when, in truth, they have been entirely professional in their words, actions, and demeanor.

If you or your student is painted as unprofessional, the allegation might mar their academic record, behavioral file, and reputation. The student might miss out on leadership and honors opportunities at CU SODM, as well as professional opportunities down the line.

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.

Professional Expectations (and Violations) at the CU SODM

CU SODM’s Student Professionalism and Academic Integrity Subcommittee (SPAIS) is the body primarily responsible for defining professionalism and adjudicating alleged violations.

Dental students must abide by the Student Professional Code of Conduct, which covers both on-campus and off-campus conduct, and generally demands that students:

  • Are accountable

  • Are respectful

  • Honor patients’ privacy

  • Abide by the law

  • Are ethical

  • Follow the direction

  • Engage in other behaviors that the average dentist would consider “professional”—and refrain from behaviors they would consider “unprofessional”

The vague terminology used in this list points us to a common problem. Dental students are held to the loftiest behavioral standards, yet are not always provided specific guidelines to follow. This subjectivity leads students to violate professionalism expectations without even realizing it. Furthermore, this vagueness leaves far too much room for bias, misinterpretation, and other corrupting forces to influence the disciplinary process.

If you or your student has been accused of unprofessionalism, we will delve into the facts of the accusation and compare them with the finer details of CU SODM’s Student Handbook.

Discipline for Alleged Unprofessional Conduct

The CU SODM’s Student Handbook details a range of “Disciplinary Actions” a student might face after being found responsible for unprofessional conduct, which includes:

  • Administrative probation, described as a “warning” that demands the student improve their conduct

  • Administrative probation with restrictions

  • Suspension

  • Dismissal

  • A combination of penalties

Dental students accused of unprofessional conduct may also be required to undergo formal remediation. This is a specific plan, generally including attainable benchmarks, that can help the student improve their conduct to align with CU SODM’s professional expectations.

Remediation: A Potential Outcome When Students Are Sanctioned for Unprofessional Conduct

Because the School of Dental Medicine falls under the CU School of Medicine, the School of Medicine’s remediation literature is an essential resource for dental students. This document explains how remediation could be necessary when a student is accused of unprofessional conduct:

  • Before the student receives a remediation plan, they generally  receive a Professionalism Feedback Form and review it with the faculty member who has noticed unprofessional behavior

  • After receiving multiple Professionalism Feedback Forms or engaging in an “egregious” instance of alleged unprofessionalism, CU SODM’s Professional Committee gets involved

  • CU SODM’s Professionalism Committee plays a central role in this process and is generally the entity that crafts the student’s remediation plan

  • The student receives a written remediation plan from the Trek Progress Committee Chair

  • If the student successfully completes the remediation plan, the Office of Student Affairs is notified, and the issue should be closed

  • If the student does not satisfactorily complete the remediation plan, the matter may then be referred to the Promotions Committee 

The LLF National Law Firm assists CU SODM Dentistry students who:

  • Do not believe that they have acted unprofessionally, yet are facing a remediation plan because of alleged unprofessionalism

  • Disagree with the proposed terms of a remediation plan

  • Think they have been unjustly accused of failing to complete a remediation plan 

We must also note that “professional issues” can constitute grounds for referring a student to the Honor Council. Such a referral might lead to formal disciplinary sanctions, and we will discuss how to defend yourself from such potential sanctions shortly.

Appealing a Decision by the Student Performance Committee

Though CU SODM’s literature does not elaborate on the specific appeal allowances and procedures for professionalism-related remediation, the right to appeal adverse decisions is generally afforded to students.

As your representatives, our Student Defense Team will immediately contact CU SODM’s representatives to identify all available appeals options. We will initiate and, if necessary, maximize those appeal options as promptly as possible.

The Disciplinary Process: A Pathway to Calamity or Salvation, Depending on the Quality of Your Defense

Some allegations of unprofessional conduct can put students on the brink of formal disciplinary action. Such discipline is generally considered to be more serious than remediation. In fact, a CU SODM student might face formal disciplinary action for failing to meet the terms of one or more remediation plans.

If someone believes that a student has violated the university’s professional code, they might either:

  • File a professional concern: A faculty member or other party might report a concern if they are not entirely sure that a student has acted unprofessionally. Such complaints are confidential and are filed in writing with the Director of Student Affairs & Professionalism.

  • File a professional complaint: Complaints are official and non-confidential, and are filed in writing with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

The Adjudication Process for Professional Concerns

When the Director of Student Affairs & Professionalism receives a reported concern, they may:

  • Speak with the accused student

  • Decide whether to escalate the professional concern into a formal complaint

  • Potentially determine that the concern lacks merit

Even becoming the subject of a professionalism concern is reason to contact the LLF National Law Firm, as our counsel may help ensure that the concern does not mushroom into a formal complaint.

The Adjudication Process for Professional Complaints

A formal complaint triggers an adjudication process that is common in most academic settings:

  1. Investigation of the complaint

  2. Opportunity for the student to admit fault and accept sanctions

  3. Conducting a hearing

  4. The rendering of a decision, which might include a finding of non-responsibility or the imposition of sanctions against the student

You have the right to appeal an unfavorable disciplinary decision from the Hearing Commission, but you only have five days to do so. We will be ready to initiate your appeal immediately if needed.

Don’t fight for your reputation—and the career in dentistry that will rest upon that reputation—on your own. Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

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