The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry (UTHealth) provides its students with a diverse population and state-of-the-art clinical facilities. Their aim is to graduate dental professionals who understand the importance of providing exceptional care to their surrounding communities and who understand the importance of clinical research in furthering the practice of oral healthcare.
You have worked hard to get into dental school, so it can feel very overwhelming when you are notified of a disciplinary action, remediation meeting, or dismissal hearing. If you have been informed of any of these pending proceedings, an attorney-advisor can help you create a strategic defense. Call Lento Law Firm today.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry Code of Conduct
Students at UTHealth School of Dentistry are expected to uphold certain academic and professional standards, including:
- Maintaining a positive relationship with their classmates, instructors, and patients
- Conducting themselves appropriately in a laboratory setting
- Responding well to corrective feedback
- Handling stressful situations without becoming aggressive
- Actively participating in course activities within the given time frame
- Informing the staff of absences
Furthermore, dental students must try to uphold the highest standards of academic honesty and refrain from committing academic misconduct. The definition of academic misconduct will vary from school to school, but at UTHealth, students are expected to refrain from:
- Replicating another student's test paper or lab project and turning it in for credit as if it were their own work
- Using unauthorized materials on an exam, paper, or other assignment
- Plagiarizing - failing to give someone proper credit for their ideas or works on an exam, paper, or other assignment
- Working with another student to prepare for an assignment without express permission
Students who are accused of violating the code of conduct will be referred for a disciplinary hearing and subject to sanctions. If you are worried about defending yourself in a disciplinary action, an attorney-advisor can help you prepare.
Remediation at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry
UTHealth at San Antonio School of Dentistry has set up a particular committee, the Academic Performance Committee, to review the student's progress and decide whether or not they should be allowed to continue in the program. For the most part, if the committee finds students struggling, they will refer them for remediation. Remediation will take place in the summer between academic years, or if the student must retake the entire course, the next time the course is offered.
When a student is offered the chance to remediate, they are being offered the chance to retake the course, exam, or clinical that they failed during the academic year. The hope is that with the extra revision time, the student will be able to successfully pass their remediation plan and rejoin their class in the fall. Unfortunately, there are cases where schools forget (or refuse) to offer a student a remediation plan, sending them for a dismissal hearing instead. An attorney-advisor can help you navigate such issues. There is no reason to go through this alone.
Dismissal Proceedings at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry
Students can be dismissed from UTHealth at the San Antonio School of Dentistry for several reasons. Most commonly, students are dismissed for repeated conduct code violations and failed remediation plans. When you are notified of a dismissal hearing, it is imperative you create a strong defense to present at the hearing. So many times, students attempt to improvise at the hearings and end up receiving a poor result.
After the hearing, the Academic Performance Committee will review the incident and your defense. They will decide, based on the information in front of them, if you should be dismissed from the program. If you do receive a notification of dismissal, you have the choice to appeal it.
Appeals must be made to the Dean of the School of Dentistry within five days of the Academic Performance Committee's decision. The Dean will review the matter and decide if their decision should be upheld or overturned. If the idea of appealing your dismissal causes you a serious amount of stress, an attorney-advisor can help you cope.
How an Experienced Attorney-Advisor Can Help With Dental School Issues
Graduate schools tend to breed highly competitive atmospheres, with students fighting over every grade and accolade available. Dental school is no different. Students at UTHealth at San Antonio School of Dentistry are expected to do their very best in every situation, whether it is in the classroom or professionally. This type of expectation can push students to act in ways they normally would not. When this happens, they can be brought before committees for disciplinary action, dismissal hearings, or remediation planning.
Students who are unsuccessful at these meetings and punished with a suspension or a dismissal from the program will have a difficult time getting into any future programs. Suspension and dismissals are noted on your transcripts, so no matter where you apply after dental school, you will have to explain the incident surrounding the punishment to every admissions committee.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have worked with hundreds of students across the country facing similar situations. They understand how complex proceedings like these can feel. Their goal is to break down the proceeding, so you understand it better and help you create a strategic defense, ensuring the best possible outcome for your case. Call 888-535-3686 today to schedule a consultation or visit us online.
