Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry is committed to preserving and improving the oral health of their local communities. As such, they encourage their students to learn the art of dental practice by providing them with hands-on experience, state-of-the-art technology, and access to cutting-edge biomedical research. Their goal is to educate dental professionals who will provide excellent, affordable, patient-centered oral healthcare to both affluent and underserved communities.
With so much riding on their shoulders, it's no wonder some students are unable to cope with the overwhelm. If you or someone you love has been accused of a disciplinary action, referred for a remediation plan, or are awaiting a dismissal hearing, an attorney-advisor can help. Call our offices today.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry Code of Conduct
At Virginia Commonwealth School of Dentistry, students must follow a specific code of conduct. Like other dental schools, this code of conduct covers both academic and professional behavior. For instance, students will most likely be required to:
- Maintain satisfactory grades. Most dental schools expect students to maintain a grade of B- or higher in all their courses and clinicals
- Uphold patient confidentiality
- Behave respectfully
- Never provide care that is outside their current knowledge base
- Ensure they have proper supervision before providing care to a patient
- Refrain from committing acts of sexual misconduct, Title IX violations, or other acts of harassment and discrimination
- Follow a particular dress code
Additionally, dental students at VCU are supposed to abstain from acts of academic misconduct, like:
- Plagiarism: submitting all, or portions of, someone else's work or ideas as if they were your own; failing to properly cite sources on a paper, exam, or other assignment
- Cheating: using or attempting to use certain materials during an exam, assignment, or clinical without permission, or helping another student use unauthorized materials during an exam or other assignment
- Falsifying patient files
- Submitting the same assignment to multiple courses for credit without permission
When a student violates the school's code of conduct, they will be referred to a disciplinary committee. The best way to ensure you are not punished unnecessarily is to work with an attorney advisor from the moment you are notified of the issue.
Remediation at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry
Graduate schools understand that students learn differently from one another. In an effort to give every student the chance to pass a course and continue with the program, dental schools usually offer their students the ability to remediate a course, exam, or clinical if they determine the student is struggling to pass it. At the end of each year, there is a specific committee that reviews the student files and determines which student is struggling and could use this opportunity to get back on their feet.
Students who are given the option to remediate, generally must successfully complete the remediation plan in the summer between academic years. This allows the student, if they pass, to rejoin their class in the fall and continue on their original trajectory for graduation. If a student does not pass their remediation in the allotted time, they can be forced to either retake the course in its entirety the next time it is offered or be referred for dismissal from the program.
Dismissal Proceedings at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry
Once a student is referred for dismissal, a committee will be appointed to review the dismissal proceedings. During this hearing, you will be given the opportunity to present a defense. This is your moment to prove why you should be allowed to stay in the program, so make it a good one. It is important to find witnesses and evidence that can speak on your behalf, proving your point for you.
At the end of the hearing, the committee will meet privately to review the accusations and the information. They will determine whether dismissal is appropriate or if another sanction would be. In some cases, they may even decide that the case against your dismissal should be dropped altogether. When this happens, you will be allowed to rejoin your classes, and the issues against you will be closed.
In many cases, though, especially ones where the student does not rely on an attorney-advisor for help, the student will be sentenced to dismissal. The committee's decision will be delivered to you, along with instructions for how to appeal it. Generally, appeals must be made rather quickly, usually less than ten days. An appeals committee will review the appeal and decide whether the other committee's decision should be upheld, amended, or dismissed altogether. Whatever the decision, it is final and cannot be approved further.
If the idea of filing an appeal seems overwhelming, an attorney-advisor can help. An appeal is your last chance to save your place in the dental program. Do not let overwhelm and stress rob you of that dream. Lento Law Firm can help.
Why an Experienced Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Many students choose to attend these proceedings without the advice of an attorney-advisor. Unfortunately, many do not appreciate how important these proceedings are and tend to try and wing their defense. When this happens, they will find themselves facing punishments, like being expelled or suspended. The worst part is that many students do not see the long-term effects a suspension or dismissal can have on their future. For instance, suspension and dismissal decisions are noted on your final transcript. When you try to apply to a new dental school, or a post-graduate program, you will have to explain the punishments over and over.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm understand how nuanced these proceedings can be. They will work tirelessly to ensure you are getting the best possible outcome for your case. Call 888-535-3686 today to schedule a consultation or visit us online.
