The University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry (UMKC) is committed to training dental professionals through demanding academic education and practical training. Students are expected to adhere to high standards of evidence-based dentistry and clinical judgment by collaborating with their fellow students and faculty instructors. With such high expectations, some students may find themselves suffering from an intense amount of overwhelm. This kind of stress can lead to even the most ethical of students behaving in ways that they normally would not and force them to face certain disciplinary, dismissal, or remediation procedures.
If you or someone you love is facing one of these hearings, an attorney-advisor can help you defend yourself. Call our offices today for help.
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry Code of Conduct
All graduate schools provide their students with a specific set of conduct rules that they expect the students to abide by. If a student is found to have violated these rules, they will face disciplinary action. At UMKC School of Dentistry, this code of conduct covers not only a student's academic performance but their professional behavior as well. Specifically, students are expected to:
- Maintain satisfactory grades
- Have respect for the rights of others, including other students, teachers, faculty, and patients
- Maintain professional provider-patient relationships
- Uphold patient confidentiality
- Arrives to classes, labs, and clinics prepared so that their time can be maximized
- Do no harm – patients should not be abandoned, ignored, or potentially harmed because of ignorance or lack of preparation
Further, students are expected to avoid committing academic misconduct, which includes such behaviors as:
- Cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized materials on an assignment or exam; or helping someone else use or attempt to use unauthorized materials on an assignment or exam
- Plagiarism: presenting someone else's work, ideas, or thoughts as if they were your own
- Submitting work for more than one class without prior permission
An attorney-advisor can help you defend yourself if UMKC School of Dentistry notifies you of a disciplinary action. You do not have to navigate the complexity of these proceedings on your own. Call today.
Remediation at University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry
When the academic year comes to a close, students are reviewed to determine if they should be allowed to progress in the program. If a student is found struggling with their courses or clinicals, the Academic Affairs Dean may determine that a remediation plan is necessary.
At UMKC School of Dentistry, a remediation plan allows to attempt to pass the course or clinical by either:
- Studying independently for a few weeks and retaking the exam
- Conducting a remedial summer laboratory project, followed by an examination
- Completing a series of written exercises, followed by an exam
- Participating in clinical mentoring, followed by an exam
If a student does not successfully complete the remediation plan, they will be referred for dismissal from the program.
Dismissal Proceedings at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Dental schools are highly focused on their own reputation. Thus, if a student is repeatedly struggling, they are less likely to keep offering options for the student to pass their courses. No one wants to be known as the school that placed an ill-prepared or ignorant graduate into the dental profession. Because of this, UMKC School of Dentistry will refer students for dismissal for failing their remediation program, violating the code of conduct repeatedly, or having a GPA of below 2.5 for two semesters in a row.
At the hearing, the student will have the opportunity to defend themselves from dismissal. You will want to present a strong defense, witness testimony, and any relevant evidence you can unearth. The Faculty Assembly will review the information and determine if a dismissal is appropriate. If they determine it is, they will notify the student quickly.
It is important to remember that you have the right to appeal this decision. When you receive notification of the Academic Affairs Dean's decision, the appeals instructions will be included. For the most part, students will have to submit the appeal fairly fast – usually, you have five to ten days to do it. Additionally, the appeal must include the grounds for the appeal, which is typically one of the following:
- There was a procedural error that affected the outcome of the matter
- There is new evidence available that was not available before that will affect the outcome of the matter
- The Academic Affairs Dean was biased against the student, and it affected the outcome of the matter
The appeals decision-maker will review the appeal and notify the student of their decision to either amend the appeal, strike it down completely, or uphold it. This decision is usually final and cannot be appealed further.
Why You Should Work With an Attorney-Advisor
Attending dental school should be an exciting time for any prospective dental professional. You have worked so hard to get where you are, you deserve to achieve your dream of becoming a dental professional. Unfortunately, many dental students facing disciplinary actions, remediation plans, or dismissal hearings feel they can defend themselves sufficiently during these proceedings. The reality, though, is that these proceedings are filled with nuances that can have harsh negative consequences on the rest of your life.
For example, if you are dismissed from your program or suspended, you will have to explain that issue on every application if you decide to further your dental education. Dismissal and suspension punishments can make it really hard to get admitted to other programs. An attorney-advisor is the best way to guarantee you are not subject to unnecessary lifelong consequences like this.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have spent years helping dental students in similar situations. They have the fighting attitude to ensure your due process rights are upheld, and you don't fall prey to unruly decisions. Call our offices today at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation or visit us online.
