Predoctoral Academic Policies

Accommodation Policy - School of Dentistry

School of Dentistry Accommodations Policy

It is the policy and practice of the University of Maryland, Baltimore to create inclusive learning environments. If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations to be successful in your dental education, it is your responsibility to register with the Office of Educational Support and Disability Services (ESDS). ESDS coordinates services to assist students with disabilities in obtaining reasonable accommodations through an interactive process involving the student and the School.

A student or applicant with a disability may request reasonable accommodations by completing the Disability Disclosure and Reasonable Accommodations Application. Students who qualify and receive accommodations, must reapply each semester if they would like to continue to receive services through ESDS.

While a student’s request for accommodations is always considered, ESDS engages in an interactive process to devise a plan that is acceptable to the University, the School, and the student. Determination of whether an accommodation is reasonable is made by ESDS in consultation with the School liaison and other appropriate campus personnel. In keeping with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, an accommodation will not be approved if it:

(1) Is incompatible with the technical standards for admission to and completion of the program

(2) Alters the fundamental nature of the academic program

(3) Would result in a risk to the health or safety of the student or another individual

(4) Or would result in undue hardship to the University

Please be aware students receiving accommodations will not be afforded the use of those accommodations on the following types of SOD assessments:

• Skill-based Laboratory Practical Exams
• Gross Anatomy Practical Exams
• Clinical Competency Examinations, including:
  • Clinical Patient-Based or Simulation-Based Competency Exams
  • Case Based Written Clinical Competency Exams (Questionmark)
  • Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), including station-based and computer-based written OSCE assessments
  • Oral Presentation Clinical Competency Exams

To avoid any delay in the receipt of accommodations, students should contact ESDS as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive and that disability accommodations are not provided until an accommodation letter has been processed. Any students registered with ESDS are welcome to contact the Course Director as soon as possible for assistance in developing a plan to address your needs and to coordinate the approved accommodations for this course.

For more information, please visit the ESDS Website https://www.umaryland.edu/disabilityservices/ or call (410) 706-2865.

Approved by Faculty Assembly 8/8/2022

Additional Externship Policy

Advancement Process Policy

Advancement Process Policy

The Committees on Advancement and Graduation are comprised of the Preclinical and Clinical Progression Committees. Each respective committee reviews the performance of each student at the end of each semester. On the basis of progress and/or final grades, the committees determine one of the following actions for each student: unconditional advancement; summer remediation; conditional advancement; probationary advancement (repeat of a course, repeat or remediation of the year); or recommend academic dismissal to the Faculty Assembly, which approves all decisions pertaining to academic dismissal or graduation. Remediation or re-examination is not offered until the committees meet after the end of the academic year in May.

1. Students who do not meet published departmental/course standards for attendance may lose the opportunity for remediation. Students with a pattern of unexcused absences who receive one or more failing or deficient grades may be dismissed. Extenuating circumstances should be identified at the time the absence occurs, following procedures in the attendance policy, in order to be considered as a basis for appeal.
2. Missed clinical time resulting from late entry into clinic or excused absences must be rescheduled if the student is not progressing satisfactorily in clinic. In the case of an excused absence, the final grade will be determined at the end of the extended time. If an excused absence occurs during year four, the student may be required to register and pay tuition for the summer session with an opportunity for graduation in July or later. All other absences will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
3. The maximum number of years to complete Year I and Year II courses will be three academic years. A student who does not successfully complete Year I and Year II requirements in three academic years will be dismissed.
4. The maximum number of years to complete all Year III and Year IV clinical and didactic requirements will be three academic years. A student who does not successfully complete Year III and Year IV clinical and didactic requirements in three academic years will be dismissed.
5. Following completion of all Year III clinical and didactic requirements, a student will be eligible for the Integrated National Board Dental Examination. Students are encouraged to take the INBDE by January 15^th of their graduation year so that they do not compromise future employment or residency opportunities.  Students are required to challenge the INBDE prior to completion of the predoctoral educational program. However, successful completion of the INBDE is not a graduation requirement. (See Policy for National Board Examination and Limiting Enrollment Time)
6. A student may appeal any action of the progression committees or the Faculty Assembly by submission of a written request to the associate dean.

Unconditional Advancement

Students must achieve a 2.00 grade point average and passing grades in all courses to advance unconditionally to the next year.

Summer Remediation

1. A student may be permitted to resolve deficiencies during the summer session, as recommended by the progression committees. The student may be given one retake of a failed exam before a repeat of the course is required.

1. Depending on the type of deficiencies involved, students may be required to register and pay a fee for the summer session. The progression committee may also permit students in Years I and II to repeat a failed basic science course at another institution during the summer session. Students who repeat a failed course during the summer are placed on academic probation.

Conditional Advancement

This status is assigned to:

1. First- and second-year students with minor deficiencies who have not successfully completed remediation of deficient grades during the summer session.
2. Third-year students with minor clinical deficiencies who have not successfully completed all courses but who, in the judgment of the committee, should be afforded the opportunity to complete requirements from the third year while proceeding with fourth-year courses.

Probationary Advancement

Students with a final grade of F in one or more courses at the end of the academic year may be advanced on probation and must remediate or repeat all courses in which there was a deficiency to a passing grade of C, achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00, and must pass all courses taken during the probationary academic year. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the dental program subject to discretionary review by the Faculty Assembly. In accordance with the Dental School Policy for Limiting Enrollment Time and National Board Examination Eligibility for Predoctoral Dental Students, the maximum number of years to complete Year I and II courses is three academic years and the maximum number of years to complete Year III and IV courses is three academic years.

1. Students who fail a year one course may be placed on probation and assigned to a special academic program where they complete first and second year courses in a maximum of three years.

1. Students who fail one Year III course may be advanced conditionally on probation to Year IV where the schedule and curriculum permit repeat of the failed course while taking Year IV courses. In these circumstances, the following guidelines will be applied: attendance at the repeated course must take precedence where there is a scheduling conflict; coursework that could not be completed due to scheduling conflicts in the fall semester must be completed during the following fall semester; courses not affected by a scheduling conflict must be successfully completed in accordance with the probation policy.
2. Students with deficiencies too severe to be absolved during the summer session may be afforded the opportunity to repeat or remediate a specific year of the dental program. Repeat of the year entails repeating the year's work in its entirety. Remediation of the year provides students with the opportunity for exemption from courses or portions of courses at the discretion of the department chairs. During the remedial year students repeat failed courses and may also be required to repeat courses previously passed to maintain or enhance skills and/or knowledge. The grade on the repeated course, whether higher or lower than the original grade, replaces the original grade in the grade point average calculation. Students who are repeating or remediating any year of the dental program are placed on probation and are subject to the probationary guidelines noted above.

Academic Dismissal

1. If it is determined that a student is progressing so poorly that remediation will not bring him/her to a passing level, dismissal will be recommended to the Faculty Assembly.
2. If a student does not successfully complete Year I and Year II requirements in three academic years, dismissal will be recommended to the Faculty Assembly.
3. If a student does not successfully complete Year III and Year IV clinical and didactic requirements in three academic years, dismissal will be recommended to the Faculty Assembly.

Advancement Process August 2009

Reviewed: August 1, 2016

Revised and Approved by Faculty Assembly: October 7, 2019

Revised and Approved by Faculty Assembly: July 18, 2022

Appeal of Advancement Process Policy

Appeals Process

The following guidelines have been established to review appeals of decisions made by the Progression Committees, or in cases of dismissal, decisions made by the Faculty Assembly. This mechanism will not be used to dispute the published advancement guidelines which have been approved by the Faculty Assembly. Students may seek guidance from the Director of Student Advocacy regarding the appeal process.

1. A student wishing to appeal an advancement or dismissal decision must initiate the appeal process within 5 working days of receiving written notification from the Office of Academic Affairs regarding Advancement Committee decisions, or from the Dean regarding dismissal decisions made by the Faculty Assembly. In this written appeal, the student must present evidence of compelling additional information or extenuating circumstances not previously considered and the reason why the information was not previously presented. The written appeal must include: the decision the student is appealing; the specific basis for the appeal, including appropriate supporting documentation; and the academic status that the student is requesting. The student may present and prioritize more than one alternative.
2. The appeal, which must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, will be reviewed by an ad hoc panel composed of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and two department chairs.
3. The review panel will determine whether the student's written appeal meets the criteria outlined above. Should the panel determine that an appeal lacks the required evidence, the appeal will be denied. In these circumstances, there is no further appeal.
4. Should the panel determine that an appeal meets the required criteria outlined above; the panel will forward the appeal to the Progression Committee for its consideration.
5. The Progression Committee will meet within ten working days, when possible, of receiving the initial appeal request from the review panel.
6. The Committee will issue a written decision within five days of its meeting, when possible. The Committee's decision is final and there is no further appeal. The Committee's decision shall be forwarded to the Faculty Assembly for information.

Reviewed: August 1, 2016

Updated:  July 1, 2022

Attendance Policy

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Dental education is an in-person educational, laboratory, and clinical experience, and the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) program is structured accordingly. Throughout this policy, attendance refers to in-person presence unless stated otherwise.

Except for approved excused absences, the faculty and administration of the UMSOD expect every student to attend all scheduled lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions and clinic assignments.

All attendance guidelines are subject to Technical Standards - DDS Program.

Additional policies and guidance can be found in the School of Dentistry Catalog.

D1 & D2

     Lecture:

             Students are expected to attend all lectures and small groups as per the Academic Schedule.  

Specific course attendance guidelines, policies, and requirements are determined by the course director and/or department. Course syllabi for each department and the Clinic Manual address specific departmental and clinical attendance guidelines, policies, and requirements and delineate a policy for managing missed examinations, quizzes, and other assignments. Students may lose the opportunity for remediation and/or re-examination if they do not meet published departmental/course standards for attendance.

             Laboratory Sessions:

Students are required to attend all (100%) of pre-clinical laboratory sessions. Attendance will be recorded in all pre-clinical sessions. Excessive absences may result in the need to          make up missed lab sessions and may delay progression in the curriculum and/or graduation and may lose the opportunity for remediation and/or re-examination due to excessive absences.

Pre-Clinical D2 Block Assignments:

D2 Students must attend 100% of their pre-clinical block assignments. All D2 block assignments are located on the UMSOD Outlook calendar. Excessive absences may delay progression in the curriculum and/or graduation and may lose the opportunity for remediation and/or re-examination due to excessive absences.

D3 & D4

             Lecture:

             Students are expected to attend all lectures and small groups as per the Academic Schedule.  

Specific course attendance guidelines, policies, and requirements are determined by the course director and/or department. Course syllabi for each department and the Clinic Manual address specific departmental and clinical attendance guidelines, policies, and requirements and delineate a policy for managing missed examinations, quizzes, and other assignments. Students may lose the opportunity for remediation and/or re-examination if they do not meet published departmental/course standards for attendance.

              Laboratory Sessions:

Students are required to attend 100% of clinical laboratory sessions. Attendance will be recorded in all clinical sessions. Excessive absences may result in the need to make up missed lab sessions and may delay progression in the curriculum and/or graduation and may lose the opportunity for remediation and/or re-examination due to excessive absences.

     Clinic Sessions:

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of available general practice (GP) clinic sessions*. For example, if a student has 100 GP clinic sessions in a semester, that student must attend 90 sessions to pass. Excessive absences may result in the need to make up missed clinic sessions and may delay progression in the curriculum and/or graduation.

    *Please refer to clinic attendance guidelines as per the CCPM 538 and CCPM 548 syllabi.

    Clinical D3 & D4 Block Assignments:

Students must attend 100% of all block assignments, clinical rotations, and externships.

Attending Blocks reflects one’s professional responsibility. Many of the Block Assignments involve direct patient care and are service-oriented such as Urgent Care, Oral Surgery, Patient Care Coordinator (PCC) Emergency, and Special Care & Geriatrics. School of Dentistry patients have the expectation that their dental needs will be addressed in a competent and timely manner. To provide these essential dental services, attendance is mandatory for all assigned block assignments.

     Hospital Block:

1. Students assigned to Hospital Block are excused from lectures and labs. It is the student’s responsibility to notify their course directors in advance of their absence to make up missed activities, labs, etc.
2. Attendance is required for all exams and Translational Research Conferences (TRCs).

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Excused Absences include and are limited to:

1. Illness*
2. Hospitalization*
3. Faith-based religious holiday or organized religious activity with at least one-month advanced notice**
4. Death in the family
5. Family emergencies
6. Up to 10 interview days (only D4 students)*
7. Presentation at approved professional and/or research meetings*

* Documentation required.

**For additional information, please review the UMB policy on Scheduling of Academic Assignments on Dates of Religious Observance.

All other absences will be considered unexcused.

The School of Dentistry is committed to the health and safety of all students and patients. Students exposed to COVID-19, Influenza or other respiratory pathogens are not required to quarantine but should wear a KN95 or N95 mask for 7 days from last day of exposure and should self-monitor for symptoms. Students with acute respiratory illness will remain out of work until afebrile for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and at least 24 hours of improvement in respiratory symptoms (if afebrile). Exceptions to this, as well as expectations upon return to campus, are noted in the UMSOD Policy for Providers/Staff with Respiratory Infections: Students/Residents, Faculty and Staff

It is still the student’s responsibility to request an excused absence for all school-related activities, preferably in advance of the absence.

Absence from Lecture/Laboratory Sessions/Pre-Clinical Block Assignments:

Students must:

1. Request an excused absence from the Office of Student Affairs as soon as possible so course directors can be notified by emailing sodexcusedabsencerequests@umaryland.edu,
2. Provide proper documentation, within five (5) business days of the date of absence, to support the request for an excused absence. Documentation should be in a PDF format.
   1. The school reserves the right to request non-medical verification from a medical provider. The excused absence note should be on official letterhead and signed by the provider.
3. In addition, as a courtesy, please notify the course director of their absence if missing a lab, exam, or quiz, or other learning activity.
4. Utilize Mediasite in real time or in a timely manner in relation to the date the lecture was given.

Absence from Clinical Block:

  There are circumstances in which a student may need to be absent during a time when they are assigned to block.  It is the student’s responsibility to communicate their conflict and ensure their rotation is covered.  To manage this situation, students must:

1. Email the clinical block director of the anticipated absence, if possible, prior to their assigned block.
2.  Make every attempt to proactively find coverage for their missed block assignment.
3.  Complete the Request for Change in Block Assignment and send it to the block director and clinical education coordinator(s).

Absence from Clinic:

Students must:

1. Email the Office of Student Affairs to request an excused absence sodexcusedabsencerequests@umaryland.edu,
2. Contact patient(s) and the Patient Care Coordinators’ (PCCs) office at 410-706-8127. The PCCs must be made aware of any patient appointments for that day.
3. If your request is not from the approve list of excused absences, complete the Clinical Absence Request form posted on Blackboard.
4. Email completed form to the CCPM 538 or CCPM 548 course director and clinical education coordinator.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

Unexcused absences include and are NOT limited to:

1. Vacations
2. Attendance to or participation in a wedding
3. Attendance to a family/friend graduation
4. Veterinary appointments
5. Attendance to a conference if on block assignment, have a scheduled exam or laboratory session
6. Routine medical and dental appointments

Clinic:

Students with unexcused absences resulting in clinic attendance below the required 90% will be subject to the course guidelines in CCPM 538 or CCPM 548.  The student will be required to pass the course per the expectations articulated in the syllabus.

             Clinical Block Assignments:

If a student fails to appear for an assignment or is more than 15 minutes late, they are subject to the following:

• First instance: A makeup day of that missed block will be assigned; plus, one additional day will be assigned.
• Second instance: A makeup day of that missed block; plus, three (3) additional days. A follow up meeting with the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs may be required.
• Third instance: May be referred to the UMSOD Judicial Board and/or Academic and Clinical Leadership Advisory Board

For example: If a half day of an assignment is missed, a half day, plus an additional half day penalty will be assessed.

All makeup days will be assigned at the discretion of the director of the block and the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and must be completed before advancement to the next year and/or graduation.

LONG-TERM ABSENCE

Students who anticipate a long-term absence (longer than one (1) week) should first review the Leave of Absence Policy and then contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to discuss strategies for managing the impact of the absence on their educational program. Requests for long term absences due to a qualifying disability under the American Disability Act will be handled through an interactive process with UMB’s Educational Support and Disability Services (ESDS) Office and the UMSOD Office of Student Affairs consistent with the essential requirements of the program. Due to curricular design and time in program requirements, long term absences may necessitate that missed time be made up which can impact and/or extend program completion, including associated tuition and fees.

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will, as needed, consult with the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and ESDS, if necessary. 

Effective Date:  July 1, 2014

Updated:  October 26, 2015

Reviewed:  August 22, 2016

Updated:  May 8, 2017

Updated:  February 21, 2020

Updated:  August 10, 2020

Approved by Faculty Assembly:  August 8, 2022

Updated:  August 25, 2025

Competency Statements and Competency Examinations

As stated in its mission, the School of Dentistry seeks to graduate exceptional oral health care professionals.  Competency, the ability to demonstrate skill, knowledge and attitude derived from specialized training and experience, is at the core of exceptional professionals.  It relates to the treatment of the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and medically-compromised patient.  At this Dental School, pre-doctoral dental students must demonstrate competency prior to graduation and entry into dental practice.

UM SOD Competency Statement

Clinical Competencies by Academic Year_2025-2026

Clinical Competency Exams D3-D4 2025-2026

Clinical Competency Exams D3-D4 2025-2026_ExamType and Clinic Prerequisites (1)

To access the Competency Exam Manual, please use the desktop icon (Clinical and Academic Support Documentation) or go to Blackboard.

Policy for Participation in Voluntary International Experiences

 
The School of Dentistry recognizes the value of student participation in global educational opportunities that introduce you to the challenges of global oral health.  Experiences are voluntary, and these experiences can only be accomplished during school closure or normally scheduled vacation time for a dental or dental hygiene class. Foreign sites are selected and preapproved by the School of Dentistry’s Office of Student Affairs.  A faculty member from the School of Dentistry must accompany each international experience.

The requirements of the undergraduate curriculum must be the first priority to ensure students achieve the highest level of competency prior to graduation, thereby ensuring they’re able to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the future.

Additional experiences (observations, exchanges, missions, etc.) are permissible and encouraged providing the experience does not conflict with assigned curricular responsibilities including lecture, lab, clinic, etc.  The University of Maryland, Baltimore, Center for Global Engagement focuses on global health education and training and sponsors annual interprofessional student summer programs that are ideal for students whose summer break aligns with the program’s time frame.

http://www.umaryland.edu/global/for-umb-students/cge-interprofessional-global-grant-program/

Originated:  August 1, 2008

Updated:  February 1, 2017

Approved by Faculty Council:  March 27, 2017

Updated:  January 15, 2020

Grading System Policy

The following numerical range for standardized grades is used in the evaluation of student performance.

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

F Below 70

A - Excellent: This grade signifies performance of the highest quality or exceptional achievement. It is recommended that this grade be awarded to those students with the highest degree of talent, skills, and knowledge, compared with the expected performance of students at that particular stage of development and training.

B - Good: This grade should be recorded for students who have demonstrated knowledge, talent, or skills significantly above the acceptable level, compared with the expected performance of students at that particular stage of development and training.

C - Satisfactory: This grade should be recorded for students who have demonstrated knowledge, talent, or skills at an acceptable level, compared with the expected performance of students at that particular stage of development and training.

E - Conditional Failure: This grade is used as a progress grade or as a temporary final grade to indicate that a student, who otherwise is progressing satisfactorily in a course, has failed to master limited segments of a course or some clinical procedures, but may achieve a satisfactory level of proficiency within a short time if allowed to do so based on overall academic performance. When the E grade is used as a temporary final grade, it counts in the grade point average calculation. If successful remediation occurs, the student will receive the final grade earned in the course, shown on the permanent record along with the original E. An unresolved grade of E will result in a permanent grade of F.

F - Failure: Students who receive this grade exhibited unsatisfactory performance. This grade indicates that they have not achieved an acceptable level in skills and knowledge. As a result, they are not considered ready to advance to more complex work or to perform independently. When the failure has been absolved, the F grade will remain on the student's permanent record, but only the new grade will be used in computing the grade point average.

H - Honors: Elective clerkship courses are graded as honors when the student demonstrates excellence and advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes that exceed dental curriculum requirements in the dental specialty or practice area.

I - Incomplete: A student whose work in completed assignments is of acceptable quality but who, because of circumstances beyond the student's control (such as illness or disability), has been unable to complete course requirements, will receive a grade of Incomplete. When all requirements have been satisfied, the student will receive the final grade earned in the course. Except under extraordinary circumstances, an Incomplete may not be carried into the next academic year.

P - Pass: This grade signifies acceptable performance and satisfactory completion of course requirements.

W - Withdraw: This grade indicates withdrawal during the first half of the course.

WP - Withdraw Pass or WF - Withdraw Fail: This grade denotes student performance to date when withdrawal occurs after the first half of the course.

Scholastic averages are computed on the basis of credits assigned to each course and the following numerical values for grades: A-4, B-3, C-2, E-0, F-0. The grade point average is the sum of the products of course credits and grade values, divided by the total number of course credits in that year of the curriculum.

Reviewed: August 1, 2016

Grade Appeal Policy

1. Assignment of Grades The academic standards for successful completion of a course and assignment of a grade are established by the department or unit under which the course is administered. The faculty bear the responsibility of assuring that written academic standards are provided to each student at the beginning of each course. The course director assigns final grades based upon these published academic standards.
2. Basis for Appeal
   1. This appeal mechanism is limited to possible errors in calculating or recording a final grade and to allegations of mistakes or arbitrary or capricious grading. “Arbitrary or capricious” grading means (1) the assignment of a course grade to a student on some basis other than performance in the course; (2) the assignment of a course grade to a student by unreasonable application of standards different from the standards that were applied to other students in that course; or (3) the assignment of a course grade by a substantial and unreasonable departure from the written academic standards for that course.
   2. This appeal mechanism is not to be used to dispute the published academic standards for a course which are the prerogative of the department and the course director under which the course is administered.
   3. It is the responsibility of the student to substantiate the assertion that an incorrect final grade has been assigned.
3. Appeals Process
   1. The student should first meet with the course director or instructor involved to discuss his or her concerns and to present any evidence that an erroneous or arbitrary or capricious final grade has been assigned. This meeting should occur, when possible, within 10 working days from the time that the student was notified of the grade in question.
   2. If the student's concerns are not resolved in meeting with the faculty or course director, the student may submit a written appeal to the appropriate department chairperson. This written appeal must be made, when possible, within five (5) working days of the student's meeting with the faculty or course director and must contain information to substantiate the student’s assertion. The department chairperson will consult with the student and the course director and make a written decision for or against the appeal, when possible, within five (5) working days of receipt of the appeal. If the decision is in favor of the student, the chairperson will change the grade as appropriate.
   3. If the matter is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may seek advice from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The student may continue the appeal process by initiating the formal procedure of the Student Grievance Policy within 10 working days of receiving the decision of the department chairperson. The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will appoint the Chairperson of the Student Grievance Panel from among the faculty members on the Student Affairs Committee. For consideration of grade appeals, the Panel shall consist of at least five (5) faculty members of the Student Affairs Committee, plus two (2) student members of the Student Affairs Committee. Absent a conflict, the students should be the Class President of the grieving student’s class and the SDA President.

      The Grievance Panel will request information from the involved department to determine if the grade appeal should be considered further.

   4. The formal procedure and appeals process follow the same guidelines for student grievances as described in Sections II and III of the Student Grievance Policy.

Graduation Dates

Students who enter the DDS program at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry are required to complete a minimum of four academic years at the school. The length of the program has been established to provide the students a comprehensive professional education. Graduation for students who complete the program within this prescribed period is in May. Students who fail to complete all requirements in May will be considered for graduation the following July, December, or May, as they are judged ready to do so.

Reviewed:  August 1, 2016

National Board Examination Policies

Policy for Limiting Enrollment Time and National Board Examination Eligibility for Predoctoral Dental Students‌

Beginning with the Class of 2023, students are eligible for and required to challenge the Integrated National Board Dental Examination.

The maximum number of years to complete all dental courses will be six academic years, and in accordance with respective Progression Committee decisions.

1.The maximum number of years to complete Year I and Year II courses will be three academic years. A student who does not successfully complete Year I and Year II requirements in three academic years will be dismissed.

2. The maximum number of years to complete all Year III and Year IV clinical and didactic requirements will be three academic years. A student who does not successfully complete Year III and Year IV clinical and didactic requirements in three academic years will be dismissed.

3. Requests for exceptions to the above timetables because of interruptions caused by illness or leave of absence may be appealed to the Faculty Council.

4. A student may appeal any decision reached pursuant to this policy under the School's established academic appeal process.

5. Following completion of all Year III clinical and didactic requirements, a student will be eligible for the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE). Students are encouraged to take the INBDE by January 15^th of their graduation year so that they do not compromise future employment or residency opportunities.  Students are required to challenge the INBDE prior to completion of the predoctoral educational program. However, successful completion of the INBDE is not a graduation requirement. 

6. This policy does not apply to students in combined degree programs.

Excerpt from Advancement Process Policy

Following completion of all Year III clinical and didactic requirements, a student will be eligible for the Integrated National Board Dental Examination. Students are encouraged to take the INBDE by January 15^th of their graduation year so that they do not compromise future employment or residency opportunities.  Successful completion of the INBDE is not a graduation requirement. However, students are required to challenge the INBDE prior to completion of the predoctoral educational program.

Approved by Faculty Assembly: October 7, 2019

Revised and approved by Faculty Assembly: July 18, 2022

Policy for Patient Management

Patient Centered Dental Care

Policy for Patient Management in the General Practice Clinics:

• Students must treat all patients assigned and may not refuse to accept a patient assignment.
• Treatment must be performed in a timely manner.
• It is expected that the assigned student will continue treatment of all assigned patients until the planned treatment is completed or the case is reassigned to another provider.
• All dental care transfer or reassignment of patients must have the approval of the GP Director/Assistant Director.
• Any treatment initiated by a student must be completed by that student unless a reassignment is approved by both the GP Director/Assistant Director and the discipline specific faculty covering the procedure.

Approved by the CSC 05/08/2014

Approved by the Faculty Assembly 05/12/2014

Procedures for Resolution of Complaints Alleging Discrimination

https://www.umaryland.edu/policies-and-procedures/library/administration/policies/vi-100e.php

Requests for Post-Graduate Residency Program Site Visits

Senior (D4) students must request permission to attend extramural post-graduate residency program’s week-long site visits (sometimes termed externships or rotations) and should adhere to the following guidance to obtain approval from the School of Dentistry. The School of Dentistry supports students in these endeavors, absent of conflict with other academic or clinical responsibilities, and when students make the necessary arrangements and receive approval in advance.  These arrangements and approvals require coordination with several different entities within the School of Dentistry and are the responsibility of the student seeking the opportunity.

The student should:

1. Submit a written request to Dr. Patricia Meehan, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. This request should include:

  a.  The dates that the student is proposing for the residency program site visit

                    i.  It is highly recommended to schedule these visits during the student’s off-summer session of their rising D4 year, or other SOD break (e.g. spring break).

b. The program that the student wishes to visit and any documentation requested by the residency program.

        c.  If the student will be missing any regularly scheduled academic assignments or clinical activities, those should be delineated, and the strategies for addressing those responsibilities should be outlined.

        d.  If clinical activities will be affected, the student will need the approval of their GP Director and Dr. DePaola, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. Both should be provided in writing with the request.

2.     The student is required to obtain professional liability insurance. Proof of insurance should be provided with the written request. The student should also consider obtaining personal liability insurance. Because these residency program site visit requests are extramural, non-dental school affiliated experiences, the student is not covered by the school’s professional liability carrier.

Drs. Meehan, Depaola and Noonan, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, will make the decision regarding whether the student’s request and excused absence can be approved.  Once approved, and if the student will miss scheduled academic activities, the extramural residency program site visit is considered an “excused personal absence,” and the dates of absence will be communicated to the Office of Student Affairs.

This protocol does not apply to Additional Externships Beyond the Fourth Year Service-Learning Experiences. See applicable policy, “Additional Externships Beyond Fourth Year Service-Learning Experiences.” 

NOTE: This policy applies to D4 students.  Requests by D3 students will be determined on a case by-case basis, and will only be considered during the off-summer session or other SOD break (e.g. spring break).  The student should first consult with Dr. Meehan.

Approved: August 1. 2021

Reviewed and Updated: August 1, 2024

Requirements for Graduation

The Doctor of Dental Surgery degree is conferred on a candidate who has met the conditions specified below:

• A candidate must have satisfied all requirements of the various departments.
• A candidate must have acquired and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and values articulated in the UM Competency Statements.
• A candidate must pass all fourth year courses and achieve a minimum 2.0 average in the fourth year.
• The candidate must have satisfied all university obligations before graduation.
• The candidate must be clear of all disciplinary matters.

Essential Requirements for Admission and Matriculation - Technical Standards - DDS Program

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

Essential Requirements for Admission and Matriculation

The mission of the School of Dentistry is “…to graduate exceptional oral health care professionals, contribute to the scientific basis of treatments for diseases of the orofacial complex, and deliver comprehensive dental care.” To achieve this mission, the School of Dentistry has established specific goals.

Admission to the School of Dentistry is open to all qualified individuals in accordance with the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C.§701 et seq.) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §12101 et. seq.) Qualified individuals must satisfy the School of Dentistry’s minimum technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation.

Dental education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of skills and professional attitudes and behaviors essential to the profession. Students require observational, organizational communication, sensory, motor, intellectual, behavioral, technical, and social skills to successfully negotiate the curriculum. The School of Dentistry is mindful of the unique nature of dental curricula. It is the responsibility of the School of Dentistry’s admissions committee to select applicants who are qualified to successfully complete the required training. As part of the education process, students in all of the School’s clinical programs are required to provide treatment for patients and to practice treatment techniques with student partners. Students are required to serve as patients for their classmates in performing such diagnostic and reversible procedures as local anesthesia administration, the making of impressions, sealant placement and oral prophylaxis. The Dental School has the responsibility of ensuring timely and safe treatment of all patients during these and other processes inherent in comprehensive care.

Candidates and students must have aptitude, abilities and skills in five areas: (1) observation (2) communication (3) motor function (4) quantitative and intellectual conception (5) behavioral and social stability. Technological compensation can be made for some disability in these areas, but a student should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary would mean that a student’s judgment is mediated by someone else’s knowledge, powers of selection, observation, organization or clinical ability. Therefore, third parties cannot be used to assist students in accomplishing curricular requirements in the five skill areas specified above.

Observational

Observation necessitates functional use of the sense of vision, touch, and other sensory modalities. A student must be able to:

• Acquire information and skills through demonstrations and experiences in the basic, behavioral and dental sciences;
• Observe patients accurately, at a distance and close at hand, with or without standard instrumentation, to acquire information for written documents;
• Observe and note verbal as well as non-verbal communications;
• Visualize information presented in images from paper, film, slides, computer displays and video; and
• Interpret radiographs and other graphic and 3-D images.

Communication

A student must be able to:

• Speak intelligibly, and sensitively with patients;
• Elicit and transmit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture and perceive non-verbal communication, e.g. in order to allow the development of a health history;
• Communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written English with all members of an interdisciplinary health care team, the patient, and the patient’s family or legal representative during both emergency and non-emergency situations;
• Read and apply appropriate information and instructions contained in requisitions, notes and the electronic patient record; and
• Understand and apply clinical instructions given by others.

Sensory and Motor Coordination and Function

A student must:

• Have the gross, fine muscular coordination and equilibrium necessary to execute precise and finite movements inherent in providing general care and emergency treatment for patients;
• Have exceptional use of both touch and vision;
• Be able to perform palpation and other diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers;
• Be able to perform laboratory procedures and work with standard laboratory materials;
• Be able to reach and manipulate dental equipment to all positions in order to control the operating environment; and
• Be able to activate the emergency medical system.

Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

A student must:

• Be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize;
• Be able to perform problem solving skills, e.g. including those listed above, efficiently and expediently in emergency and non-emergency situations; and
• Comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.

Behavioral and Social Competencies

A student must:

• Possess the emotional health required for full use of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients;
• Follow faithfully the policy on attendance;
• Respect the time and privacy of other students, colleagues, staff and faculty;
• Exhibit the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients, colleagues, clinical and administrative staff, and all others with whom the student interacts in the professional or academic setting, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age or other attributes or affiliations that may differ from those of the student;
• Be able to tolerate physically and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively when stressed;
• Be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients;
• Be able to accept appropriate suggestions and criticism and, if necessary, respond by modification of behavior; and
• Display empathy, integrity, concern for others, and interpersonal skills, interest and motivation in becoming a dental professional.

Other Requirements

A student must perform human cadaver dissection as a required component of the DDS curriculum in the Year I Gross Anatomy course.

A student must comply with university immunization requirements as outlined at: https://www.umaryland.edu/policies-and-procedures/library/student-affairs/policies/v-100a.php

The admission of a student who is chronically infected with Hepatitis B Virus will be considered on a case-by-case basis after consultation with a panel of experts in Infections Diseases.  This panel will consider the Hepatitis B e antigen status, the health of the student and decide what, if any, restrictions and monitoring are necessary for the student during their training in dentistry or dental hygiene.

Applicants with Disabilities

The University of Maryland School of Dentistry provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. 

An applicant is not disqualified from consideration due to a disability. Applicants are not required to disclose a disability to the Committee on Admissions. Applicants with questions about the School’s Essential Requirements for Admission and Matriculation in relation to their disability are encouraged to discuss the issue of accommodation with the University’s Office of Educational Support and Disability Services. http://www.umaryland.edu/disabilityservices/

Applicants may request reasonable accommodation in Admissions by contacting the University’s Office of Education Support and Disability Services.

Some of the aptitudes, abilities and skills described in the Essential Requirements can be attained with technological compensation or other reasonable accommodation. However, individuals using technological supports or other accommodations must be able to perform in an independent manner. The use of trained intermediaries to carry out functions described in the Essential Requirements will not be permitted by the School of Dentistry. Intermediaries, no matter how well trained, are applying their own powers of selection, observation or organization, which could affect the student’s judgment and performance. Therefore, the School will not permit third parties to assist a student in the clinical training area to accomplish curriculum requirements and skills identified in the Essential Requirements. Other accommodations will be given due consideration, and reasonable accommodations will be made where consistent with curriculum objectives. 

An applicant who has not been offered admission to the School of Dentistry may, but is not required to, disclose a disability and request accommodation during the admissions process. An applicant who chooses voluntarily to disclose a disability should write the Director of Educational Support and Disability Services for the University to begin University procedures for disability accommodation.  http://www.umaryland.edu/disabilityservices/

After admission, admittees who have not yet accepted a place in a class at the School of Dentistry, admittees who have accepted a place and matriculating students can disclose a disability and request accommodations with the Director of Educational Support and Disability Services. 

Enrolled Students with Disabilities

The University of Maryland School of Dentistry provides reasonable accommodations for enrolled students. Enrolled students with questions about the Dental School’s Essential Requirements for Admission and Matriculation in relation to their disability are encouraged to discuss the issue of accommodation with the University’s Office of Educational Support and Disability Services. http://www.umaryland.edu/disabilityservices/

Enrolled Students may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the University’s Office of Education Support and Disability Services and must renew accommodations with that same office each semester. 

Summative Statement and Certification

I certify that I have read the UMSOD Essential Requirements for Admission and Matriculation (Technical Standards).  My signature represents acknowledgement that

I possess the aptitudes, abilities, and skills as described in the following five areas:

(1) observation (2) communication (3) motor function (4) quantitative and intellectual conception (5) behavioral and social stability. These aptitudes, abilities, and skills are required for matriculation and continued enrollment in the DDS program.  Should the School determine that I do not or cannot with reasonable accommodations consistent with the curriculum objectives, meet these requirements, I understand that I may be deemed unqualified to continue in the program. 

Student Signature: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Printed Name: _____________________________________________________

Developed and submitted to University Counsel: 7/29/14

Revised by University Counsel: 08/19/14

Approved by Faculty Assembly: 09/15/14

Revised and Approved by Faculty Assembly: 7/18/22

Reviewed and Updated:  2/2025