Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 ATSU University Catalog 
    
2017-2018 ATSU University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Dental Medicine, DMD (MOSDOH)


Doctor of Dental Medicine Program (MOSDOH)


Length of Program

The ATSU-MOSDOH Doctor of Dental Medicine program is comprised of 260.7 credit hours.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition is due twice a year at ATSU. It is due at the beginning of the first and second semesters. Each payment is half the cost for the entire year. Tuition may be paid any time during the week that it is due. Delinquent tuition penalties accrue at 1.5% per month, which is 18% per year.

Class/Year Tuition Educational Supply Fee Equipment Lab Fee
Class of 2021, year 1 $71,066.00 $1,050.00 $8,729.00
Class of 2020, year 2 $71,066.00 $1,050.00 $9,445.00
Class of 2019, year 3 $69,074.00 $1,050.00 $4,665.00
Class of 2018, year 4 $68,742.00 $1,050.00 $5,383.00

Admissions

MOSDOH is dedicated to recruiting and selecting students interested in enhancing their professional practice skills, knowledge, and academic status by obtaining a graduate degree. Selection is based on several criteria, including grades, recommendations, experiences, dental admissions test (DAT) scores, and personal interviews.

Application Process

MOSDOH participates in the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).  Applications may be completed at http://aadsas.adea.org.  Questions regarding completing the applications should be directed to customer services representatives at 800.353.2237 or via email at csraadsas@adea.org. The application deadline is December 1.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the first-year DMD class must meet the following requirements prior to matriculation:

  1. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative and science grade point average of 2.50 on a four-point scale. The overall and science GPA, the school(s) attended, and the rigor of the academic course load are all assessed on an individual basis.
  2. A formal minimum of three years college or university coursework from a regionally accredited school (90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours); a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution is preferred.
  3. All prerequisite coursework must have been completed prior to matriculation and from a regionally accredited institution.
    • General Biology – One year of lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours (or the equivalent) (zoology or microbiology are acceptable alternatives).
    • General Chemistry – One year of lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours (or the equivalent).
    • Organic Chemistry – One year of lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours (or the equivalent).
    • Physics (algebra-based) – One year of lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours (or the equivalent).
    • English Composition/Technical Writing – Minimum of 3 semester hours (or the equivalent).
    • Biochemistry –Three semester hours or equivalent (no lab required).
    • Human Physiology – Three semester hours or equivalent (no lab required).
  4. All applicants are required to take and submit the US Dental Admissions Test (DAT) scores via the AADSAS site on or before December 1 or the application year. No scores older than three years will be accepted.
  5. Applicants must provide a minimum of two letters of recommendation. They must be from a science faculty or committee letter and a dentist.
  6. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents.
  7. All residential students are required to have an iPad and a laptop computer, which meets MOSDOH’s specifications. Specifications are determined each year based on technological advances and may be found at: http://its.atsu.edu/knowledgebase/mosdoh-technology-requirements/. Students will be notified and must secure all equipment prior to matriculation and maintain throughout the program.

Transfer Student Admission

MOSDOH may consider transfer students on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions for more information at admissions@atsu.edu or 866.626.2878 ext. 2237.

Transfer Credit

For students who matriculate as first year dental students, MOSDOH does not accept previous course credit.  Transfer credit may be considered for transfer students on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Standing Admission

MOSDOH may consider advanced standing on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions for more information at admissions@atsu.edu or 866.626.2878 ext. 2237.

International Student Admission

International students applying for admission to the DMD program must be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident with a valid green card. All undergraduate courses, including pre-requisites must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution within the United States.

Selection of Applicants

The Admissions Committee seeks those individuals capable of meeting the academic standards of MOSDOH and its program. Completed applications in compliance with the minimum admission requirements are reviewed on the quality of academic performance, clinical exposure, extracurricular activities, work and life experiences, interest in dentistry and oral health, and recommendations.

Personal interviews may be offered to those applicants who rank among the highest in evaluation of all admission requirements.  The Admissions Committee reserves the right to accept, reject, or defer any application. Applicants are notified following the Committee’s decision on their status.  Successful applicants are granted a specified time period to notify the Admissions Processing Center of their intention to enroll.  A non-refundable acceptance fee must accompany the letter of intent.  Complete official transcripts from each postsecondary school and a degree granting transcript must be on file with the Registrar’s Office prior to matriculation.

Students sent a letter of acceptance are granted a specified time period to notify MOSDOH of their intention to enroll. Accepted students must submit the following to Admissions prior to matriculation.

  1. Signed admission agreement
  2. Non-refundable deposits
  3. Copies of official transcripts from every institution attended
  4. Immunization record
  5. Criminal background check through the University approved vendor
  6. Proof of health insurance form

After acceptance, matriculation is subject to the satisfactory completion and verification of all academic and admission requirements.

Minimal Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation

Statement of Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion encompass an authentic understanding and appreciation of difference and, at their core, are based upon the value each human being brings to our society and each person’s access and opportunities to contribute to our University’s cultural proficiency.

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences is committed to equal access for all qualified applicants and students. Minimal Technical Standards for Matriculation (the “Standards”) state expectations of ATSU students.  The Standards provide sufficient information to allow the candidate to make an informed decision for application.  Minimal Technical Standards for Matriculation are a guide to accommodation of students with disabilities. Academic adjustments can be made for disabilities in some instances, but a student must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.  Applicants and current students who have questions regarding the technical standards, or who believe they may need to request academic adjustment(s) in order to meet the standards, are encouraged to contact Learning and Disability Resources. Procedures to apply for academic adjustments are found at the conclusion of this policy.

A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) is committed to admitting and matriculating qualified students in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act.  ATSU-MOSDOH endeavors to select candidates who have the ability to become highly competent dentists who are well prepared to enter dental practice and/or enter graduate and residency training programs.

Categories of Technical Standards

Candidates must possess the skills and ability that will allow them to successfully complete the course of study and receive the full benefit of the education. With this in mind, students must be able to meet the following technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations. ATSU-MOSDOH’s technical standards are required to successfully complete the school’s competencies needed for graduation.

  1. Motor Skills:
    1. General: A candidate must possess gross motor strength, balance and a sufficient level of manual dexterity to execute the fine movements required to provide general care and treatment to patients.
    2. Specific: It is required that a candidate possess the motor skills to directly perform palpation, percussion, auscultation and other diagnostic maneuvers, basic laboratory test and diagnostic procedures. A candidate must be able to perform basic life support (including CPR), transfer and position disabled patients, physically restrain adults who lack motor control, and position and reposition self around patient and chair in a sitting or standing position. The candidate must be able to operate dental equipment controls utilizing fine hand movements, operate high or low speed handpieces, requiring controlled dental movements of less than 0.5 millimeter, and utilize hand instrumentation. These actions require the ability to use both hands and the coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements and functional uses of the senses of both touch and vision.
  2. Sensory/Observation:
    1. General: A candidate must be able to acquire and process a defined level of required information as presented through demonstrations, lectures, and experiences in the biomedical and dental sciences.
    2. Specific: This includes, but is not limited to, information conveyed through lab demonstrations and through microscopic images of microorganisms and human or animal tissues in normal and pathologic states. A candidate must be able to acquire information from written documents and to visualize information presented in images from paper, films, slides, video or computer. A candidate must be able to interpret x-ray and other graphic images, with or without the use of assistive devices. A candidate must have functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensation.
    3. General: A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately, at a distance and close at hand, and observe non-verbal communications when performing general dental treatment or administering medications.
    4. Specific: A candidate must be able to perform visual and tactile dental examinations and treatment including visual acuity, with or without accommodation, to discern slight differences and variations in color, shape and general appearance between normal and abnormal, soft and hard tissues. Use of tactile senses may be either direct, by palpation or indirect, through instrumentation. A candidate must also possess the visual acuity, with or without correction to read charts, records, small print and handwritten notation, and distinguish small variations in colors intra and extra-orally.
  3. Communication:
    1. General: A candidate must be able to communicate clearly, effectively and be sensitive with patients, parents and/or guardians; convey or exchange information at a level allowing development of a health history; identify problems presented; explain alternative solutions; and answer questions and give directions during treatment and post-treatment. For effective treatment, the candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with patients, parents, guardians, interpreters and all members of the dental and medical health care team and must be culturally appropriate. Communication includes oral and written modes.
    2. Specific: A candidate must be able to speak and write, and have sufficient fluency with English to retrieve information from texts, lectures, computerized databases, and to communicate concepts on written exams, in patient charts and on prescriptions. Patients, faculty, students, and staff must be able to easily understand the candidate’s oral and written communication in order to effectively evaluate performance and to work collaboratively in the care of patients.
  4. Cognitive:
    1. General: A candidate must be able to measure, calculate, memorize, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize information.
    2. Specific: A candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. Problem solving, clinical and decision-making skills are critical skills demanded of dentists and require all of these intellectual abilities. A candidate must be able to perform these critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a timely fashion.
  5. Behavioral:
    1. General: A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, maintenance of confidentiality, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities in the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with other students, faculty, staff and patients.
    2. Specific: A candidate must recognize that the dental school curriculum is physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging and must be able to adapt to changing course and patient schedules. Students must be able to tolerate physically and emotionally demanding workloads of school and in the clinic, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admission and educational processes. Further, a candidate must be able to manage apprehensive patients with a range of moods and behaviors in a tactful, culturally accepted, congenial, personal manner. A candidate must reasonably be expected to accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior. Rev. 9/14

Additional Information

Records and communications regarding disabilities and academic adjustments with the Director of Learning and Disability Resources have no bearing on the application process.  You may contact the director at Learning and Disability Resources, A. T. Still University of Health Sciences, 800 W. Jefferson Street, Kirksville, MO 63501, disabilityresources@atsu.edu, or by phone at 660.626.2774.

Applying for Academic Adjustments

The institution remains open to possibilities of human potential and achievement, providing support for students with disabilities.  The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for the administration of and compliance with the Technical Standards and Academic Adjustments Policy  (ATSU Policy #20-110) through the Director of Learning and Disability Resources.  Please see the University Student Handbook for information on how to apply for academic adjustments, or email disabilityresources@atsu.edu.

Grading

Assessment and Grading Protocol

Faculty are encouraged to use assessments that are based on multiple methods such as examinations, quizzes, papers, projects, presentations, critically appraised topics (CAT), objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE), case studies, preclinical experiences, clinical experiences, community-based experiences, and/or a final examination. Faculty members are encouraged to strive and implement both formative and summative evaluation methods.  The following are standardized grading criteria:

  • A single examination should not constitute more than 50% of the grading assessment.
  • If relevant, major assessments will be identified in each syllabus. Students must pass major exams or assessments with a 70% or above.  If a student fails the major assessment but passes the class, they will need to retake the assessment or another similar assessment until better than 70% is achieved.  If failing the critical assessment means failing the course, then the student must remediate the course.
  • Except for examinations and quizzes, each assessment method must have a grading criteria matrix (e.g., a grading rubric) established at the time the students are notified of the assignment.
  • Scores from each of the assessments shall be recorded as raw scores (e.g., not adjusted or graded on a bell curve).
  • Course grades shall be recorded as raw scores with corresponding letter scores.

MOSDOH DMD students earn a letter grade or pass/fail grade or high pass/pass/fail grade for each course.  Each course is linked to the nine MOSDOH competencies that must be attained prior to graduation.

Grading Criteria: Letter Grades

Grade Value
A+ 97-100%
A 94-96%
A- 90-93%
B+ 87-89%
B 84-86%
B- 80-83%
C+ 77-79%
C 70-76% - lowest passing grade
RC- Indicates original fail grade was remediated, final grade of RC- recorded.1
F Fail
F* Indicates the course was repeated and not included in the GPA calculation
I Incomplete – extenuating circumstances
W Withdraw
Grades followed by # Indicates grades that are not included in the GPA calculation

1 Students earning less than 70% will be required to remediate course content and will receive an “F” for the course.  When students successfully complete the remediation process with a 70% or higher, the grade of “F” will be changed to a “RC-“.

If the student does not successfully complete remediation, the grade of “F” will remain on the transcript and the student must retake and successfully pass the course at their own expense prior to graduation.  The fee is determined by the Controller’s Office and is based upon a per credit equation.  The “F” will be changed to an F* upon successful completion of the retake.  The F*as well as the retake grade will remain on the transcript.

Grading Criteria: Pass/Fail Courses

Grade Value
F Fail - An average of below 70% on course assignments or assessments
I Incomplete - Extenuating Circumstances
P Pass - An average of 70%1 or better on course assignments or assessments.
RP Remediated Pass2

1 Faculty have the option to determine the percentage score to be considered for passing (at least 70%).  Students earning less than the stated minimum percentage point value will be required to remediate course content and will receive an “F” for the course.  When students successfully complete the remediation process with the stated minimum average, the grade of “F” will be changed to a “RP”.

2 If the student does not successfully complete remediation, the grade of “F” will remain on the transcript and the student must retake and successfully pass the course at their own expense prior to graduation.  The fee is determined by the Controller’s Office and is based upon a per credit equation.  The “F” will be changed to an F* upon successful completion of the retake.  The F* as well as the retake grade will remain on the transcript.

Grading Criteria: High Pass/Pass/Fail Courses

Grade Value
F Fail - An average of below 70% on course assignments or assessments
HP High Pass in D3 clinic only – The student must meet the criteria related to essential experiences as outlined in the course syllabus.

High Pass D4 clinic only – The student must meet the criteria related to competency exams as outlined in the course syllabus.
I Incomplete - Extenuating Circumstances
P Pass - An average of 70%1 or better on course assignments or assessments.
RP Remediated Pass2

1 Faculty have the option to determine the percentage score to be considered for passing (at least 70%).  Students earning less than the stated minimum percentage point value will be required to remediate course content and will receive an “F” for the course.  When students successfully complete the remediation process with at least the minimum percentage point value, the grade of “F” will be changed to a “RP”.

2 If the student does not successfully complete remediation, the grade of “F” will remain on the transcript and the student must retake and successfully pass the course at their own expense prior to graduation.  The fee is determined by the Controller’s Office and is based upon a per credit equation.  The “F” will be changed to an F* upon successful completion of the retake.  The F* as well as the retake grade will remain on the transcript.

Incomplete Grades

Students whose work at the end of a course is incomplete due to illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond their control may be given, at the course director’s discretion, a grade of Incomplete (I). It is the responsibility of the student to contact the course director to receive a grade of “I” otherwise students will be required to participate in remediation and follow the Remediation Grading Scale outlined in this policy.

The course director will complete an “Incomplete Agreement Form” outlining requirements for course completion and completion date. The completion date must be by the end of the following semester. The course director must complete this form prior to the end of the semester before a grade of Incomplete (I) can be issued. After the course director and student have signed the agreement, the agreement shall be filed with the MOSDOH Office of Academic Affairs and the Registrar’s Office. The course director may then record the Incomplete (I) as the interim grade for the course.

When the student has completed the coursework, the course director will file a Change of Grade Request Form with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs who will forward it to the Registrar’s Office. All modifications to the Incomplete Agreement Form must be signed by the course director and student and filed with the MOSDOH Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Registrar’s Office in compliance with this section.  If the work is not finished within the period of time specified in the agreement, the grade will become an “F” unless otherwise noted in section “a” of the “Incomplete Agreement Form.”

Remediation Process

Non-Clinical Courses:

All students earning below 70% (unless requesting a grade of incomplete due to unforeseen or extenuating circumstances) will automatically be required to participate in course remediation with the grade of “F” granted as well as receiving Academic Warning.  To successfully complete the remediation process and remove the “F” grade, students must receive an equivalent of a 70% or higher on remediation assessment(s) and will earn a grade of RC- or RP, as appropriate. Students, who do not successfully complete the remediation process, will have the “F” remain on their transcripts.

Students may not be allowed to remediate multiple courses totaling greater than 12 credit hours per academic year.

Clinical Courses:

Clinical courses are not eligible for remediation. Students who fail a clinical course may need to repeat part or all of an academic year, or they may be recommended for dismissal.

Elective Courses:

Elective courses are not eligible for remediation.

National Board Examination Retakes:

Students who fail the National Board of Dental Examiners Part I/II or the Integrated National Board, must work with the APC or designee to develop a remediation plan. The APC will review the final plan and submit to the Dean for approval.  Students who fail a national dental board examination may delay graduation.

Academic Appeals

The individual professional and graduate programs of ATSU, through their faculty and established school procedures, retain principal responsibility for assessing student performance.  Disputes concerning unsatisfactory progress evaluations should be reconciled through the processes and procedures described under the DMD program.  Additional guidelines regarding academic appeals, including grade appeals, promotion, and/or dismissal appeals will be found within the ATSU Policies section, Academic Appeals policy .

Academic Progress Committee

The MOSDOH Academic Progress Committee (APC) is responsible for monitoring student academic progress. The intent is for the APC to be proactive as well as reactive in responding to concerns regarding student academic progress.  The Committee’s charge is to offer resources and assistance to students as well as imposing imposing academic discipline which may include academic warning, probation, revocation of clinical privileges, and dismissal.  Decisions will be made by a simple majority vote.  All decisions related to dismissal will be submitted to the Dean for approval.

The APC is chaired by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and includes as voting members the Associate Dean for Clinical Education & Community Partnerships, Assistant Dean for Pre-Clinical Education & Simulation Clinic, Director of Student Success, all course directors, one CCU Director, and one other faculty member to be named by the Dean, if needed as to maintain an odd number of voting members on the committee.

The APC meets to review student progress as necessary, but at least at the following times:

  • Monthly
  • Any time a student receives a failing grade in a course or fails a national dental board examination.
  • Any time a faculty member suggests a student’s academic performance is inadequate and intervention by the APC would be in the best interest of the student and the student’s progress.

The APC functions as MOSDOH’s student promotion board. Therefore, the APC is responsible for promoting students from one academic year to the next as well as certifying students for clinical privileges, external rotations and for graduation. The APC is also the body responsible for revoking or modifying clinical privileges.

Academic Requirements for Retention, Promotion, and Clinical Privileging

The following requirements apply:

  • Students enrolled in the dental program must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 in all MOSDOH coursework as demonstrated at the end of each semester.
  • Maintain technical standards throughout the duration of the program, with or without accommodations.
  • Students must pass all courses to be promoted.
  • Comply with all relevant policies.

The complete Academic Progress Committee Policy (#504) may be found at: https://www.atsu.edu/pdf/ATSU-MOSDOH-Academic-Progress-Committee-Policy.pdf.

Appeal of Academic Progress Committee

MOSDOH follows the University Academic Appeals policy. The details of this process may be found within the ATSU Policies section, Academic Appeals .

Academic Warning and Probation

A student will be given an Academic Warning if he or she has demonstrated unacceptable academic performance or unprofessional behavior, which includes but is not limited to one of the following infractions:

  • Failure of a course
  • Failure of Part I or Part II of the National Board of Dental Examinations (NBDE) or the Integrated National Board of Dental Education (INBDE) on the first attempt
  • Accrual of two MOSDOH Professionalism Forms

The academic warning will note that continued poor academic performance or unprofessional behavior may lead to academic probation or dismissal from the MOSDOH DMD Program.

A student will be placed on Academic Probation for reasons to include but not limited to:

  • Failure of two courses
  • Failure to successfully remediate any course
  • Failure of Part I or Part II of the National Board of Dental Examinations (NBDE) or the Integrated National Board of Dental Education (INBDE) on the second or subsequent attempt
  • Accrual of three or more MOSDOH Professionalism Forms
  • Failure to comply with the University Code of Academic Conduct located in the University Student Handbook
  • Failure to comply with University Behavioral Standards located in the University Student Handbook
  • Two or more of the above-stated academic warning infractions
  • Concerns related to sustainment of MOSDOH Technical Standards until further assessment and/or resolution of concern is met.

The above mentioned infractions are cumulative throughout the four-year program.

The complete Academic Warning & Probation Policy (#001) may be found on the MOSDOH Student Success section of the ATSU Student Portal.

Class Rank

Class rank will be calculated for MOSDOH DMD students at the end of the fall and spring term for each of the first two years of dental school.  The Registrar’s Office will notify students when the ranking is available for viewing on the CampusNexus Student Portal.

Graduation Requirements

MOSDOH has specific graduation requirements that include course requirements and clinical competency. To earn a doctoral dental degree, all students must:

  1. Successfully complete all prescribed didactic, preclinical, and clinical courses (“RC-“, “RP”, or above) with a minimum GPA of 2.0;
  2. Pass National Board Examinations Part I and II or the Integrated National Boards;
  3. Demonstrate attainment of all MOSDOH program competencies;
  4. Have completed or earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health, a Master’s Degree in Dental Public Health, or have earned the Certificate in Public Health with Dental Emphasis.
  5. Discharge all financial obligations to A.T. Still University and the Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health;
  6. File all necessary graduation forms.

Degree Completion

Students are expected to complete their degree within the program’s standard plan of study as indicated in this catalog.  In circumstances where additional time is needed, and with approval of the Dean, students will have a maximum degree completion timeline of 7 years for a doctoral program from the time of initial enrollment.  Failure to complete a degree program within the specified period may result in loss of some, or all of the student’s previously earned course credits.

Academic Standards, Guidelines, and Requirements

MOSDOH Chain of Communication

To ensure open communication among faculty, staff and students, please adhere to the following chain of communication regarding course work, grades, letters of recommendations, dispute resolutions, etc.

Address the concern with the:

  1. Faculty Member
  2. Course Director
  3. Director for Student Success
  4. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or Associate Dean for Clinical Education & Community Partnerships
  5. Dean

For the complete Student Chain of Command Policy, please visit the MOSDOH Student Success section of the ATSU Student Portal.

Attendance

Dentists are required to serve others by respectfully treating patients and providing them with the best care; working humanely, attentively and efficiently with staff; managing resources wisely; and representing the profession to the public. To that end, student attendance in didactic, preclinical and clinical coursework is paramount.  The actions of a dentist always impact others (patients, staff, fellow professionals, the community, etc.).  Attending all classes and clinic sessions, including punctual if not early arrival to all course and clinical work, sets the standard for students’ professional lives.  Further, in the MOSDOH curriculum, it is imperative students attend class because of the concentrated timeframe in which course content is presented and assessed.  And, in the clinic setting, student attendance is essential as patients rely on their healthcare provider’s prompt care.

Student attendance of all classes, labs, clinic sessions, and external experiences is expected.  Specifically, students are expected to:

  • Arrive early to learning sessions (class, laboratories, simulation lab, clinic, etc.)
  • Stay for the entire duration of the learning session
  • Respect the instructor’s time
  • Communicate directly with the Director for Student Success for absences in Kirksville or the Clinical Education Coordinator while in St. Louis.  While on external clinical rotations, notification of illness shall be made to the site as well as the Clinical Education Coordinator and the Associate Director, ICSP in St. Louis as described in the ICSP Student Manual.
  • Secure the dates and times of courses they must retake from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Associate Dean of Clinical Education.
  • Attendance of guests must be approved by the course instructor and course director.

Make up of assessments and course content will be the responsibility of the student and at the discretion of the course director.

All attendance related issues are subject to the review of the Academic Progress Committee whose decisions will be forwarded to the Dean.

Exam Protocols

These protocols include examination processes, late arrival procedures and viewing of examinations post administration.

  • Students are required to arrive on time (five minutes prior to assessment start time) and stay for the duration of all assessment related activities, e.g., exams, quizzes, tests, group/individual presentations, etc. on the scheduled date per your course syllabus or class calendar.
  • The standard amount of time allotted per exam question will be 60 seconds. (The Course Director or Instructor may allow extended exam time at their discretion.)
  • In the event of an emergency, contact the Director of Student Success the morning of an exam.  Understand that the excused absence request may not be approved and in that event, the exam will not be rescheduled and will result in a zero (no credit) for the exam.  Students may be allowed to make-up the exam at the discretion of the Director of Student Success and/or the Course Director.  Exceptions will be granted in unusual circumstances.
  • Students arriving late must finish the exam within the allotted time frame, regardless of how much time the computer may indicate is remaining.  (Example:  Exam scheduled to end at 9:30 am and student arrives at 9:00 am, student has until 9:30 am to complete exam.) Exam times will not be extended for late arrivals.   If an exam is scheduled from 8-9 am and all students have completed the exam by 8:15 and the proctor has already picked up the testing supplies, then the student must see the Proctor or the Director of Student Success to complete the exam in the testing room in the allotted time.
  • Unless otherwise stipulated by the course instructor, all books and written materials, personal computers, programmable calculators, cellular phones or any devices with communication or recording capability (except for your testing iPad), must be turned off, and remain in your backpack and placed at the front, back or sides of the room during the exam.
  • Bring your charged iPad and a charger.  iPad covers will not be allowed during an exam. (If your iPad is in a non-removable case, ask a proctor for approval.) iPad stands will be provided and must be returned after exam.
  • Personal calculators are not allowed during an exam. Calculators will be provided to you by the exam proctor. There will be no sharing of calculators among students during an exam.
  • Once an exam has begun, students are not allowed to leave the room except to use the restroom after gaining permission from the exam proctor. Should an emergency arise during an assessment, the student must immediately notify the exam proctor in attendance and the Director of Student Success.
  • Students who leave an exam early due to illness will be graded based on the entire exam, e.g., if you finished 10 items of a 30 item exam, your total number of correct answers will be out of 30.
  • Hats and sunglasses shall be removed while taking exams.
  • No headphones or earbuds are allowed while taking exams. Earplugs will be provided  during exams.
  • Seats will be assigned for exams as determined by the Course Director, Instructor or Exam Proctor.
  • In consideration of other students taking an exam in the testing room, once a student completes an exam, he/she is to exit the exam room quietly and move out of the testing area. Please be considerate, as standing and talking outside the exam room can be disruptive to students still taking the exam.
  • Avoid improper conduct or conduct that may be construed as improper. Improper conduct includes giving or receiving unauthorized assistance during an assessment, distracting other students taking the assessment, disregarding a specific test instruction, or sharing information about the assessment with a student who has not yet taken the assessment.
  • Conduct that may be construed as improper includes talking to other students during an exam, using notes while taking an exam, passing notes, looking at another student’s exam, or any other action that could appear to be improper conduct. These may lead to charges of violation of the ATSU Code of Academic Conduct.

Exam Viewing

  • Time permitting, administration may schedule exam review sessions in which students will be allowed to review the results of their assessments. All exam review sessions will be announced to the class in advance. Students will have the opportunity to review their exam responses during scheduled viewing sessions only. Exam viewing sessions will only be scheduled after the exam scores have been officially released to the class. It may not always be possible to schedule exam viewing sessions due to the constrictive nature of the class schedule.
  • Exam review sessions will not be extended for late arrivals. Students arriving late will be required to finish reviewing their exams by the scheduled end time.
  • During exam viewing sessions, cell phones and all other electronic devices must be turned off and remain in your backpack or on the floor, for the duration of the session. Any deviation from these policy guidelines may result in a professionalism violation.
  • No notes may be taken during exam viewing sessions, and all writing instruments must remain in your backpacks.
  • Upon entering the exam viewing room, students will be handed their exam folder for review. Upon completion of exam review, test folders must be signed in with the room proctor.  Under no circumstances will students be allowed to leave the room with their exam.
  • In the situation of an exam retake/remediation, exam review will be done on a case by case basis.
  • If a student does not attend an exam viewing session, the student must request via email in advance to view their exam at the next scheduled exam viewing session.  In the case of an excused absence, individual viewing sessions may be scheduled.
  • At the instructor’s request, a student’s completed exam may be printed out to be reviewed by the student and the instructor. The exam may only be reviewed by the student in the presence of the instructor and must be turned in by the instructor immediately after the review session.
  • In order to not compromise the integrity of assessments or assessment materials, exam viewing sessions will not be offered if the entire class has not completed the assessment.
  • Course instructor/ faculty are not to review exam questions with any student until all students have completed the exam, including review/comments via email or in-class. Students and faculty will be notified once the exam results are eligible for review.
  • Students are not to share or obtain information relating to examinations with individuals outside of his/her class. Failure to comply with this requirement may results in a charge of professional misconduct and/or legal action against the student.  More information on the sharing and dissemination of course content can be found in the ATSU University Catalog.

Absences

Each student at MOSDOH is responsible for his or her own academic success.  Students are expected to attend all classes and academic programs and are ultimately responsible for any material that is missed.  As a reminder, some courses may only be one or two days in length.  Should a student miss a required learning activity, she or he is responsible for the material, any consequences, and for arranging make-up, if available.

Excused Absences: An excused absence is defined as a period of administratively approved absence from any required learning activities, without penalty.  Excused absences may not be possible for required learning/laboratories or clinical activities that cannot be made up or for which the student’s attendance is required for group work.  Students seeking an excused absence should review the policy and processes before seeking approval.  Each student is allowed 2 excused absences per semester.  See the full policy for complete details.

For the complete Excused Absence Policy (#005), please visit the MOSDOH Student Success section of the ATSU Student Portal.

Academic Deans may offer an excused absence to students, as stated in the University Student Handbook.  For students who require a leave of absence greater than 5 days, the ATSU absence policies must be followed.  Please see the ATSU Policies, Matriculated Student Policies section for more information. Students must be able to return to their classes at the same point that the approved excused absence was granted without extending their completion time.  Students who cannot return from their excused absence at the same academic point where they left off will be withdrawn from the University.  Tuition refunds will follow the Return of Title IV funding regulations.  Re-admission for withdrawn students will follow the program/University’s re-admission policy and be considered by each Dean on an individual basis.

Students who are excused to attend or financially supported to attend professional conferences, workshops, courses or meetings are required to submit a MOSDOH Conference Summary Report within 10 days of returning. This form is available on the MOSDOH Student Success section of the ATSU Student Portal.

Immunizations

MOSDOH requires all students to provide proof of their immunizations in order to matriculate. This is necessary for the students’ protection, as well as the protection of any individuals with whom they come in contact. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain up-to-date immunization protection.  Failure to maintain year-to-date immunizations may prevent a student from entering the clinical phase of his or her education.

  1. Tuberculosis Skin Test: Students must have had a two-step tuberculosis skin test within the year prior to matriculation. If the test is positive, the student must have a chest X-ray within the year. (Students documenting with chest x-ray must do so every 2 years). Students must update one-step TB Skin Testing annually while in Kirksville.  Affinia Healthcare requires all students to have a two-step test yearly.
  2. Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis: Students are required to receive either the primary series of Diphtheria/Tetanus or booster dose within ten (10) years prior to the beginning of the academic year.
  3. Polio: Students are required to provide documentation that they have received the primary series of polio vaccine. If documentation cannot be produced, the student must receive the primary series of inactivated polio vaccine.
  4. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella: Students born after 1956 are required to provide documentation of the MMR vaccine prior to matriculation. If the vaccination was given prior to 1975, evidence of a re-booster is recommended.
  5. Hepatitis B: Students are required to complete a series of three Hepatitis B vaccinations prior to matriculation.
  6. Varicella (Chicken Pox): Students must receive two vaccinations four weeks apart, or conduct titer.
  7. Meningitis Vaccine: Students are required to provide documentation that they have received the meningitis inoculation.
  8. Influenza Vaccine: Students are required to complete annually.

Exemptions:  Under certain religious or health circumstances, a request for exemption from preventive health requirements may be granted. MOSDOH cannot guarantee placement in clinical rotations, however, when this exemption is granted. Consequently, students receiving an exemption from preventive health requirements may take longer to complete the curriculum and graduate, or the student may not be able to complete the curriculum and graduate.

CPR Certification

MOSDOH requires all residential students maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Healthcare Provider certification.  Certification will be provided during orientation in Kirksville and again during clinic orientation in St. Louis.  All students must complete any scheduled ATSU sponsored certification, even if you are currently CPR certified, so all students will be on the same renewal schedule.  Student records will be audited annually to confirm continuous coverage.

HIPAA Training

All MOSDOH students must complete Health Information Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) training. Training is offered online by ATSU.

Student Dress Code

Please see the MOSDOH Student Success section of the ATSU Student Portal for MOSDOH-specific dress code and the University Student Handbook for specific dress code expectations or requirements.

Curriculum

The MOSDOH Curriculum Committee is comprised of a variety of faculty members representing four instructional domains:  Biomedical, Behavioral, Preclinical, and Clinical Sciences.  The Curriculum Committee is responsible for coordination, integration and evaluation of all courses across the four-year curriculum, and across all instructional domains.  The Committee is responsible for directing, modifying and implementing course content and delivery methods.

The curriculum is designed in a linear form; that is, students must successfully complete the schedule of courses offered in sequence. Following is a summary of the courses required at MOSDOH.  Note that the sequence and courses may change from year to year as the science and practice of dentistry change.

In some situations, students may not be privileged to provide patient care on human beings. Additionally, students may be privileged to provide a limited scope of patient care.  In situations when clinical privileging is not granted or granted on a limited scope, a written explanation and a plan for remediation, approved by the APC, will be provided to the student.

The following is a list of academic criteria necessary for student progression and promotion from one year to the next of the four-year dental school program, culminating in graduation from the program.

First-Year Promotion

Class of 2021: Prior to being promoted from the first year to the second year of the MOSDOH predoctoral dental education program, the student must successfully pass (“RC-” or above) the D1 courses, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Second-Year Promotion

Class of 2020: Prior to being promoted from the second year to the third year of the MOSDOH predoctoral dental education program, the student must successfully pass (“RC-” or above) the D2 courses, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, as well as 2.0 in the preclinical courses, preclinical and clinical faculty assessment of defined skills to assure safety of the patient, faculty, staff and peers, and pass the Part I examination of the NBDE.

Class of 2021:  Prior to being promoted from the second year to the third year of the MOSDOH predoctoral dental education program, the student must successfully pass (“RC-” or above) the D2 courses, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, as well as 2.0 in the preclinical courses, preclinical and clinical faculty assessment of defined skills to assure safety of the patient, faculty, staff and peers.

All students: In some circumstances, students may be privileged to provide patient care in what would be in the students’ D3 year prior to passing NBDE Part I.

Third-Year Promotion

Prior to being promoted from the third year to the fourth year of the MOSDOH predoctoral dental education program, the student must successfully pass (“RC-” or above) the D3 courses, preclinical and clinical faculty assessment of defined skills to assure safety of the patient, faculty, staff and peers, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.  Students must successfully complete all necessary prerequisite courses and assessments prior to being approved for commencing external clinical rotations.

Courses

Descriptions and Credit Values


A typical course schedule consists of the following. Additional course options may be available and listed below under Other Courses.

Other Courses


Electives

Electives may be made available.  They must be approved by the Curriculum Committee.

Certificate in Public Health - Dental Emphasis


All students will be required to obtain the Certificate in Public Health with Dental Emphasis through the College of Graduate Health Studies at A.T. Still University unless a Master’s in Public Health or Dental Public Health has been previously awarded. These classes are offered online beginning in the fall of the D2 year. The additional courses are included in the MOSDOH tuition fee. There will not be any tuition reimbursements if you have already been awarded a MPH degree.

Program Caveat: MOSDOH reserves the right to require students with a Master’s in Public Health or Dental Public Health to complete courses in the Certificate in Public Health with Dental Emphasis Program to fulfill the pre-doctoral DMD curriculum requirements.