Professionalism concerns. Remediation. Dismissal. If you've seen these terms in any recent communications from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, odds are you're currently very stressed.
As a dental student, you've worked incredibly hard to get to this point. After you receive your degree, you'll reap the rewards and enjoy a fulfilling career.
However, you've got to get there first — and, frequently, academic issues or failure-to-progress concerns crop up that put the sought-after degrees of dental students in serious jeopardy.
In this guide, we'll discuss the types of professionalism and disciplinary concerns common to dental students, as well as the typical consequences on the table at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Finally, we'll provide an overview of the best steps you can take to protect your future if you're in this situation.
Academic and Behavioral Standards at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry
The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry aims to be recognized as one of the top options in the nation for both clinical dental education and clinical research.
That's an extremely ambitious goal. To make that happen, the College of Dentistry has high standards for its students. The school offers doctoral programs in dental surgery and a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene.
As students work towards those degrees, they're expected to practice the professionalism expected of them in their later careers. They're also supposed to move at a relatively rapid pace throughout their studies.
If a University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry student acts unprofessionally or exhibits a failure to progress, the school might get involved.
Maintaining Professional Standards at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry
One of the student organizations at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry — the SPEA, or the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association — seeks to support ethical and professional behavior among the school's student body.
The goal of the group is to provide resources and spread awareness surrounding the need for constant professionalism in the dental field. The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry's policies shed a little more light on the specific professionalism expectations at the school, which include:
- Practicing academic honesty
- Treating all community members with respect (including dental patients!)
- Respecting the physical facility and property of the College
- Upholding a good learning atmosphere
- Exhibiting professional conduct (e.g., being polite, respectful, and appropriate) while on College premises
If you fail to meet these professional standards, your school may decide to recommend sanctions, such as a suspension or dismissal.
Being unprofessional isn't the only way to attract negative attention from your school, of course: Your professors could also refer you to the administration if you aren't moving through coursework at an expected pace, or a fellow student could file an allegation against you if they suspect you are responsible for misconduct.
If your school receives this information, it may move to a remediation plan or recommend sanctions.
Remediation, Dismissal, and Other Sanctions at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry
The College's basic policy on remediation is as follows, according to the school's documentation:
If a dental student scores less than a 75% on an assessment, the student will undergo remediation with an assigned faculty member until they achieve a score of 75% or higher.
That's a relatively open-ended remediation plan. While this type of mentorship and correction is not necessarily a bad thing — especially in healthcare fields, where remediation can safeguard both patient safety and student reputations — remediation can have an adverse effect on the student. For example, remediation can jeopardize a student's financial aid or wreak havoc on their academic timeline.
If your school is recommending remediation, you need to know that you may have other options (for example, appealing the grade that sent you to remediation).
In addition, there are longer-term ramifications associated with remediation plans and other types of discipline, such as suspensions and dismissals. For example, if these consequences become a part of your student record, it may be tough to get your first job or pursue further education. And, of course, if your school recommends a dismissal, that could be a permanent stain on your reputation. Even if the dismissal was an outsized or inappropriate reaction from your school, if it stands, that dismissal could tarnish your career for a very long time.
These are sticky situations, but working with a professional can transform your experience with these scenarios.
- Your attorney can help you file strategic appeals.
- Your attorney can help you keep your transcript and student records clean.
- Your attorney can even help you fight dismissals.
Finding a skilled dental student defense advisor is the best thing you can do to help you work towards a more favorable outcome if you're in a tense situation with your school.
Joseph D. Lento is Ready to Help You Protect Your Dental Career
Dealing with remediation, dismissal, and progression issues as a dental student can be overwhelming.
After all, there's a lot on the line. You've worked incredibly hard to get where you are. When navigating disciplinary issues, it seems like everything you've achieved is about to disappear.
Fortunately, you can work to protect your reputation and your status as a student at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Partnering with a dental school student defense advisor is the single best way you can make that happen.
Joseph D. Lento is a fully-qualified, fully-licensed defense advisor who has supported hundreds of students across the nation as they work to protect their future. He knows the laws surrounding dental student academic and progression issues inside and out. He is ready to put his extensive experience to work helping you.
Dealing with unsatisfactory treatment from your OK dental school? Call Joseph D. Lento for the support you need. The number is 888-535-3686, or you can contact us online at your convenience.
