Dental Medicine, DMD (ASDOH)

Doctor of Dental Medicine Program

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ATSU-ASDOH School Information and Policies   Length of Program Tuition and Fees Admissions Minimal Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation

Student Academic Promotion & Graduation Requirements Academic Progress Policies Academic Standards, Guidelines, and Requirements Curriculum Courses: Descriptions and Credit Values

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Length of Program

The ATSU-ASDOH DMD program is a four-year residential program comprised of 294 credit hours.

Tuition and Fees

Annual tuition rates are split and billed according to the scheduled semesters and are due on the first week of class. Most fees follow a similar billing schedule with a few exceptions. Rates are subject to change each academic year for all enrolled students. Delinquent balances incur penalties at a rate of 1.5% per month, totaling 18% annually.

For ATSU programs approved to certify for Title IV funding, a Cost of Attendance (COA) is available which provides estimated amounts for direct and indirect expenses for a period of enrollment. 

	Class of 2028, year 1	Class of 2027, year 2	Class of 2026, year 3	Class of 2025, year 4
Tuition	$93,230	$93,230	$93,230	$93,230
Student Technology Fee	$1,400	$1,400	$1,400	$1,400
Medical Equipment & Lab Fee	$13,436	$13,538	$10,470	$10,106

Admissions

Application Process

ATSU-ASDOH participates in the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service

(AADSAS). AADSAS takes no part in the evaluation, selection, or rejection of applicants. Applications may be obtained at www.adea.org/aadsasapp/. Application questions should be directed to customer service representatives at 800.353.2237 or csraadsas@adea.org. Applications must be submitted by November 15.

Applicants meeting the minimum GPA requirements will be sent instructions to complete an online secondary application with a December 15 deadline.

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 2.75 on a four-point scale (3.0 minimum recommended). 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 in the United States only (90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours). A baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a US Department of Education institutional accreditor is preferred.
3. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation and must have been completed from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. It is highly recommended that science prerequisite courses be taken within 5 years of applying, and prerequisite credits for AP or CLEP tests are no longer being accepted.
   • General Biology: one year lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours (12 quarter hours) (zoology or microbiology are acceptable alternatives)*
   • General Chemistry: one year lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours (12 quarter hours)*
   • Organic Chemistry: one year lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours (12 quarter hours)*
   • Human Physiology: 3 semester hours (4 quarter hours)*
   • Biochemistry: 3 semester hours (4 quarter hours) – upper division*
   • Physics (Algebra-based): one year of lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours (12 quarter hours)*
   • Anatomy: 3 semester hours (4 quarter hours)*
   • English Composition/Technical Writing: minimum of 3 semester hours (4 quarter hours)
4. Matriculants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended by the date of matriculation. The final transcript confirming the required amount of coursework or undergraduate degree must be submitted by the date of matriculation.
   • Individuals who have a reason acceptable to the University for submitting transcripts after the due date (i.e., late accepts or delays by sending institutions) must submit a letter from their professor stating satisfactory completion of the course with a passing grade to ATSU-ASDOH admissions and their official transcripts to Enrollment Services by the first day of the second week of classes.
   • Applicants who have graduated from a foreign college or university must submit acceptable evidence of U.S. degree/course equivalency. Applicants must have foreign transcripts evaluated by a foreign evaluation service.
     • World Education Services Inc.
       P.O. Box 745 Old Chelsea Station | New York, NY 10113-0745 | 212.966.6311 | www.wes.org
     • Foreign Consultants, Inc.
       Credential Evaluation Services
       3000 Dundee Road, Suite 209 | Northbrook, IL 60062 | 773.761.0000 | www.foreignconsultants.com
     • GCE, Inc.
       PO Box 9203 | College Station, TX 77842 | 1.800.707.0979 | www.gcevaluators.com
     • Educational Credential Evaluators Inc.
       P.O. Box 514070 | Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 | 414.289.3400 | www.ece.org
5. All applicants are required to take the US Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and submit their scores via the AADSAS site on or before December 1* of the application year. Scores older than three years from the application date will not be accepted. 
6. Applicants must provide a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a Science Faculty, Committee Member or Academic Advisor, one from a dentist, and one from a Community Service Supervisor. The letter from the Community Service Supervisor must be from a broad-based volunteer community service project in which the applicant was involved but not paid.
7. ATSU-ASDOH and many of its clinical affiliations require criminal background checks on matriculants and students to ensure the safety of patients and employees. The checks are conducted by a vendor selected by ATSU. The student will pay the cost of the criminal background check directly to the vendor. Failure to comply with this mandate will result in denial to matriculate. A matriculant with a positive criminal background screen will be reviewed.
8. Matriculants will meet the minimum technology specifications found at: https://its.atsu.edu/knowledgebase/asdoh-technology-requirements/

*Highly recommended that science prerequisite courses be taken within 5 years of applying.

*No longer allowing prerequisite credits for AP and CLEP (starting with the 2016-2017 application cycle).

International Student Admission

ATSU-ASDOH’s DMD program is approved by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program to issue I-20 paperwork to non-immigrant students in order to apply for an F-1 Visa.

In addition to meeting all the general requirements for admission, non-immigrant applicants must:

• Written and spoken proficiency in the English language may be demonstrated by one of the following options:
  • Option 1: English is your first language.
  • Option 2: Graduated from a college/university accredited by a US Department of Education institutional accreditor with a BA/BS or graduate degree.
  • Option 3: Submit acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
    • The Computer Based Test (CBT), Internet Based Test (iBT), or the Paper Based Test (PBT) are accepted. The following are the minimum required scores based on test type:
      • CBT: minimum total score of 213 | Minimum of 22 Reading Skills section | Minimum of 26 Writing Skills section
      • iBT: minimum total score of 80 | Minimum of 22 Reading Skills section | Minimum of 24 Writing Skills section
      • PBT: minimum total score of 550 | Minimum of 57 Reading Skills section | Minimum of 61 Writing Skills section
• All prerequisite coursework must have been completed at a school accredited by a US Department of Education institutional accreditor.
• Non-US Citizen students must have permanent residency status (green card) to be eligible to receive any type of federal financial assistance.

International students seeking to enter a program of study at ATSU-ASDOH must obtain an appropriate visa issued by the U.S. Government.

Transfer Student Admission

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

Transfer Credit

ATSU-ASDOH will consider transfer credit on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions at admissions@atsu.edu or 866.626.2878 ext. 2237 for more information.

Advanced Standing 

Transfer Students from CODA-accredited DMD/DDS programs

ATSU-ASDOH will consider transfer credit and advanced standing on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions at admissions@atsu.edu or 866.626.2878 ext. 2237 for more information.

Internationally-Trained Dentists

Internationally-trained dentists who have a dental degree from a non-CODA accredited program may receive advanced standing credit for the first year (D1) requirements of the program and be eligible for advanced standing admission at the start of the D2 year on a space available basis.

Internationally-trained dentist applicants must meet the following requirements for admission:

• Hold a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree or its equivalent.
• Provide official course-by-course evaluation of dental school transcripts.
• Submit any NBDE Part I or II and/or INDBE scores available (“Status” of PASS is required of all applicants).
• Be proficient in the English language, both written and spoken is required: Written and spoken proficiency in the English language may be demonstrated by one of the following options:
  • Option 1: English is your first language.
  • Option 2: Graduated from a college/university accredited by a US Department of Education institutional accreditor with a BA/BS or graduate degree.
  • Option 3: Demonstrate English proficiency by submitting acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Computer Based Test (CBT), Internet Based Test (iBT), or the Paper Based Test (PBT) are accepted. The following are the minimum required score based on test type:
    • PBT: minimum total score of 550 | Minimum of 57 Reading Skills section | Minimum of 61 Writing Skills section
    • iBT: minimum total score of 80 | Minimum of 22 Reading Skills section | Minimum of 24 Writing Skills section
    • CBT: minimum total score of 213 | Minimum of 22 Reading Skills section | Minimum of 26 Writing Skills section
• Submit the completed application.
• Provide letters of recommendation: applicants may submit up to three current letters of recommendation supporting their request for admission to ATSU-ASDOH. 
• Provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
• Complete a clinical skill assessment, as directed by the Associate Dean for Pre-Clinical Education and Simulation-Clinic Operations.

Selection of Applicants

The Admissions Committee seeks those individuals capable of meeting the academic standards of ATSU-ASDOH and its program. Completed applications, in compliance with 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. Applicants are evaluated on academic course work, performance on the DAT, AADSAS essay, letters of evaluation, and interviews. Demonstrated community service through volunteerism or service-oriented employment is preferred.

Personal interviews may be offered to those applicants who rank among the highest in evaluation of all admission criteria. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to accept, reject, or defer any application.

Applicants sent a letter of acceptance are granted a specified time period to notify ATSU-ASDOH of their intention to enroll. Accepted applicants must submit the following to Admissions prior to matriculation.

• Signed admission agreement
• Non-refundable deposits
• Copies of official transcripts from every institution attended
• Immunization record
• Criminal background check through the University approved vendor

All students must meet ATSU requirements, enroll in the ATSU student sponsored health plan, or submit a waiver and receive approval for use of another acceptable health coverage plan.

Admission after acceptance is also subject to the satisfactory completion of all academic 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 Resources & Accommodation Services. Procedures to apply for academic adjustments are found at the conclusion of this policy.

Categories of Technical Standards

The holder of a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. In order to carry out the activities described below, candidates for a degree in dentistry must be able to consistently, quickly, and accurately integrate, analyze, and synthesize data. Students must possess at a minimum, the following abilities and skills: observation; communication; motor; sensory; strength and mobility; intellectual; conceptual; integrative and quantitative; and behavioral and social. These abilities and skills comprise the categories of ATSU-ASDOH’s Minimum Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation and are defined as follows:

1. Observation: Candidates and students must have sufficient vision to be able to observe demonstrations, experiments, and laboratory exercises in the basic and clinical sciences. They must be able to observe patients accurately at a distance and up close.
2. Communication: Candidates and students should be able to speak, hear, and observe patients in the English language in order to elicit information; examine and treat patients; describe changes in mood, activity, and posture; and perceive nonverbal communication. They must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing. They must also be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members of the healthcare team.
3. Motor: Candidates and students should have sufficient motor functions to execute movements required to provide clinical care. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine motor movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
4. Sensory: Candidates and students need enhanced sensory skills such as tactile discrimination and proprioception.
5. Strength and mobility: The provision of clinical treatment requires sufficient strength and mobility to maintain appropriate posture either sitting or standing for up to eight (8) hours per day.
6. Visual integration: Adequate visual capabilities are necessary for proper evaluation and treatment integration, including the assessment of hard and soft tissues, symmetry, and range of motion.
7. Intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of health professionals, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates and students should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
8. Behavioral and social: Candidates and students must possess and display the following: a) emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, b) the exercise of good judgment, c) the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the didactic, preclinical and clinical coursework within the program as well as to the diagnosis and care of patients, and d) the development of mature, sensitive, ethical and effective relationships with peers, faculty, staff, and patients. Candidates and students must be able to: a) tolerate physically and mentally taxing workloads, b) adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and c) learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the rigors of this academic professional program; in dealings with peers, faculty, and staff; and in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, empathy, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admission and educational processes.

Additional Information

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

Any actions taken by ATSU-ASDOH do not apply to clinical or licensure exams not administered by the School or University.

Applying for Academic Adjustments

The institution remains open to possibilities of human potential and achievement, providing support for students with disabilities. The Vice Chancellor 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 Resources & Accommodation Services. Please see the University Student Handbook for information on how to apply for academic adjustments, or email accommodations@atsu.edu.

Student Academic Promotion & Graduation Requirements

Student Academic Promotion and Graduation Policy 

This policy defines the academic criteria necessary for student progression and promotion from one year to the next of the 4-year program, culminating in graduation from the program. This policy applies to all ASDOH students. Exceptions are made for transfer students only, based on admission status and individualized education plans developed.

First Year Promotion

Prior to being promoted from the first year to the second year of the ASDOH predoctoral dental education program, the student must pass all D1 courses. In order to begin treating patients in the clinic, students must gain clinical privileges in each discipline by passing the pre-clinical summative credentialing assessments related to that specific discipline. Students who do not pass all D1 courses and/or fail to pass the pre-clinical summative credentialing assessments may not be considered for promotion from the first year to the second year pending review by the Academic Progress Committee.

Second Year Promotion

Prior to being promoted from the second year to the third year of the ASDOH predoctoral dental education program, the student must pass all D2 courses. In order to begin treating patients in the clinic, students must gain clinical privileges in each discipline by passing the pre-clinical summative credentialing assessments related to that specific discipline. Students who do not pass all D1 courses and/or fail to pass the pre-clinical summative credentialing assessments may not be considered for promotion from the first year to the second year pending review by the Academic Progress Committee.

Third Year Promotion

Prior to being promoted from the third year to the fourth year of the ASDOH predoctoral dental education program, the student must successfully pass all D3 courses. Students who do not pass all D3 courses may not be considered for promotion from the third year to the fourth year pending review by the Academic Progress Committee.

Graduation

Prior to graduating from the ASDOH predoctoral dental education program, the student must successfully pass all D4 courses; demonstrate attainment of all ASDOH competencies; complete the certificate program in public health or obtain a master in public health (MPH) degree; discharge all financial obligations to ATSU; file all necessary graduation forms; and, attend the commencement ceremony. *

*Students may request the Dean’s approval to be absent from the ceremony.

Responsibilities

The Associate Dean for Academic Assessment is responsible for:

• Ensuring that students meet the academic requirements previously noted before being promoted to the next year.
• Presenting promotion and progress issues to the appropriate Academic Progress Committee.
• Notifying students who have not been promoted to the subsequent year of the program and working with the Academic Progress Committee in developing an individualized education plan.
• Communicating all related decisions to ATSU Enrollment Services.

The Course Directors are responsible for:

• Ensuring that students successfully complete individual courses in cooperation with the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment.

The Staff is responsible for:

• Ensuring that the accurate student grade records are kept in cooperation with the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment.

The Student is responsible for:

• Completing each course.
• Keeping a personal record of grades received for each course.
• Contacting the course instructor and course director if courses cannot be completed within the time allotted for the course due to excused or unexcused absences.

ATSU Enrollment Services is responsible for:

• Officially recording the course grades that appear on student transcripts.
• Providing accurate information to the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment regarding student grades.

Academic Progress Policies

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Academic Progress Committee

Academic Progress Oversight Committee (APC)

Purpose: To assess, monitor, and facilitate the academic progress and success of students in a manner which includes the input of didactic and clinical faculty, as well as administration. The Academic Progress Committee (APC) is charged with monitoring the student’s overall performance and progress towards attainment of competency. This includes the ability of the student to learn and integrate knowledge, experiences, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, communication skills, professionalism, ethical values, and technical clinical skills while caring for their patients and their communities.

Inherent in the assessment of student progress and student success is the assessment of a student’s professional behavior. The profession of dentistry demands the utmost in professionalism, as 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. The many facets of professionalism include respecting others (e.g., colleagues, classmates, faculty, administration and patients); maintaining high ethical standards and unwavering integrity; and, accepting instruction. Professionalism is observed in a person’s work habits, their time management skills, their attire, and adherence to rules and procedures.

Academic Progress Committee Charge

• Establish academic policy and procedure for the ATSU-ASDOH predoctoral dental education program consistent with those established by A.T. Still University.
• Review the academic performance of all predoctoral dental students.
• To make determinations on a student’s academic standing and ability to meet technical standards consistent with the policies of A.T. Still University and ATSU-ASDOH.
• To set conditions of progression in the program for students, including but not limited to:
  • Students who have demonstrated outstanding progress and abilities;
  • Students in current or potential academic difficulty;
  • Students who may not meet the ATSU-ASDOH Technical Standards;
  • Students who may lack fitness for the profession.
• Potential committee determinations include, but are not limited to:
  • Recognition of outstanding achievement (e.g. honors) and/or recommendations for advanced curricular opportunities;
  • Progression without restriction;
  • Progression with status of academic caution, probation, or modification/extension of program;
  • Progression with conditions, which may include but are not limited to: meeting with designated faculty on a scheduled basis; restriction or suspension of clinical privileges; an individualized education plan (IEP) which may include remedial didactic, simulation or clinical activities; delayed placement on ICSP rotations; professional counseling; completion of anger management course; obtaining a medical, psychological examination; or, other conditions believed by the APC to assist the student in successfully progressing through the program;
  • Recommendation to the Dean regarding:
    • Graduation;
    • Repetition of an academic year;
    • Dismissal with the option to withdraw;
    • Dismissal;
    • Leave of absence.
• When requested by the Dean, conduct an investigation to determine if charges that a student violated the ATSU Code of Academic Conduct or the Code of Behavioral Standards have merit and/or if they can be disposed of administratively by mutual consent of the parties involved. 

Meetings

The APC meets as necessary to fulfill its charge as determined by the Chair. It is anticipated at least once to review student progress during the semester and once to review student progress as of the end of the semester.

Composition

Ex-Officio Members (Voting) include the Associate Dean, Academic Assessment, Associate Dean, Patient Care and Clinic Education, Associate Dean, Pre-Clinical Education and Simulation Clinic Operations, and the Associate Dean, Comprehensive Care. Ex-Officio Members (Non-Voting) include the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. Faculty members appointed annually by the Dean, limit of six consecutive one-year terms (Voting), Two D3/D4 Clinical Faculty - CCU and Specialty Representatives, and Two D1/D2 Faculty - Biomedical Sciences and Pre-Clinical.

Quorum

A quorum is established when a simple majority of the voting members, or their designees, are present at the meeting.

Protocol & Procedure

Recommendations to the Dean for Student Dismissal, Withdrawal, Repetition of the Year or Leave of Absence: If the APC is considering recommending to the Dean that a student to be dismissed, withdraw, repeat a year, or take a leave of absence, the APC must notify the student and schedule a meeting to allow the student the opportunity to present significant information relative to the recommendation under consideration, which the committee may not otherwise possess. It should be noted that the purpose of the meeting is not to appeal any decisions (as the decision would not be made), nor is it a forum to appeal a grade or assessment. If the student chooses not to meet with the committee as scheduled, the committee may proceed with deliberation and notify the Dean of a final recommendation as appropriate.

Relationship to the Academic Progress Committee (APC): The Chairs of the D1/D2 and D3/D4 Student Success Committees (SSC) will meet with the Chair of the APC within one week after each SSC meeting. At this meeting, the chairs will determine any student issues that should be brought to the APC for discussion or action.

D1/D2 Student Success Committee (D1/D2 SSC)

The charge of the D1/D2 Student Success Committee is to support each course instructor/director as they facilitate the academic success of their students. This committee is tasked with assessing student progress through the DS1/DS2 years. All students will be assessed regarding academic progress for the current semester according to criteria as published in each course syllabi. The D1/D2 SSC will provide a venue for feedback, discussion, and advisement related to student academic progress based on collective input from the wide variety of faculty interactions in the ATSU-ASDOH program. This may include, but is not limited to, recommendations to the Associate Dean for Pre-Clinical Education and Simulation Clinic Operations regarding:

• Enrichment, advanced, or alternative opportunities for students who have shown outstanding abilities.
• Student participation in research or other elective experiences.
• Support activities or experiences for students who are at risk of failing a course.
• Support activities or experiences for students who need improvement in one or more of the six ATSU-ASDOH Competency Domains (i.e., Foundation Knowledge; Professionalism and Leadership; Patient Management; Critical Thinking; Technical Clinical Skills; Self Assessment).
• Development of formal Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Development of formal IEP as requested by the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment for integration of students with advanced standing (e.g., transfer students) into the clinic.
• Refer specific student discussions to the chair of the APC for further action as appropriate.

Composition

Ex-Officio Members (Voting) include the Chair, Associate Dean, Pre-Clinical Education and Simulation Clinic Operations, and the Associate Dean, Comprehensive Care. Ex-Officio Members (Non-Voting) include the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment, and the Associate Dean for Patient Care & Clinic Education. Faculty Members Appointed by the Dean Annually (Voting) include five faculty members who are serving/have served as a course instructor in the D1 or D2 year whenever practical, including at least one faculty member who is responsible for the clinical sciences curriculum and at least one who is responsible for the biomedical sciences curriculum.

Meetings

At least two meetings per semester will be scheduled by the Chair, which may be reflected on the academic calendar to review student progress during the semester and at/near the end of the semester. Other faculty members may be invited to participate in D1/D2 SSC discussions and provide feedback on student progress as determined by the Chair.

Relationship to the Academic Progress Committee (APC)

The Chair of the D1/D2 SSC meets with the Chair of the APC within one week after each SSC meeting. At this meeting, the chairs will determine any student issues that should be brought to the APC for discussion or action.

D3/D4 Student Success Committee (D3/D4 SSC)

The ATSU-ASDOH clinic education system is designed to provide each student with a wide variety of clinical educational experiences to develop the knowledge, skills and values expected of graduate general dentists. During their clinical training, students work in their Comprehensive Care Units (CCU), where they collaborate to provide comprehensive care for their assigned patients working with their CCU Director and a variety of faculty members. Students also participate in several internal rotations to gain clinical experiences in specific dental disciplines and in the management of diverse patient populations. During Integrated Community Service Partnership (ICSP) rotations, students immerse themselves in different cultures and socioeconomic environments, providing preventive, restorative, and surgical oral healthcare in community clinics in underserved areas.

With the support of the Associate Dean for Comprehensive Care, each CCU Director works with their assigned students to manage the scope of clinical educational experiences and monitor the student’s overall performance and progress towards attainment of competency. A key responsibility for CCU Directors is to facilitate each student’s ability to self-assess and to develop their individual education goals throughout their clinical program. This includes goals related to the ability of the student to learn and integrate knowledge, experiences, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, communication skills, professionalism, ethical values, and technical clinical skills while caring for their patients and their communities.

The charge of the D3/D4 Student Success Committee (SSC) is to support each CCU Director as they facilitate the academic success of their students. This committee will be tasked with assessing student progress through the DS3/DS4 clinic years. All students will be assessed regarding clinical progress for the current semester. Faculty will evaluate clinic progress according to the clinic syllabus and Clinical Education Manual. The D3/D4 SSC will provide a venue for feedback, discussion, and advisement related to student clinical progress based on collective input from the wide variety of faculty interactions in the ATSU-ASDOH Clinical program. This may include, but is not limited to, recommendations to the Associate Dean of Patient Care and Clinic Education regarding:

• Enrichment, advanced, or alternative clinical opportunities for students who have shown outstanding abilities.
• Student participation in ICSP rotations.
• Support activities or experiences for students who are at risk of failing a course.
• Support activities or experiences for students who need improvement in one or more of the six ATSU-ASDOH Competency Domains (i.e., Foundation Knowledge; Professionalism and Leadership; Patient Management; Critical Thinking; Technical Clinical Skills; Self Assessment).
• Development of formal Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) as requested by CCU Directors, the Associate Dean for Comprehensive Care, or the Academic Progress Committee (APC).
• Development of formal IEP, as requested by the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment for integration of students with advanced standing (e.g., transfer students, GOHLD program) into the clinic.
• Refer specific student discussions to the chair of the APC Committee for further action as appropriate.

Composition

Voting Members include the Chair, Associate Dean, Academic Assessment, Associate Dean, Comprehensive Care, CCU Directors: All CCU Directors who have responsibility for assigned students, Discipline Clinic Directors: Endodontics, Non- Surgical Periodontics, Oral Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and SpecialCare, ICSP Representative, and a Behavioral Sciences Representative. Non-Voting Member(s) include the Associate Dean, Pre-Clinical Education and Simulation Clinic Operations.

Meetings

At least two meetings per semester will be scheduled by the Chair, which may be reflected on the clinic calendar to review student progress during the semester and at/near the end of the semester. Whenever practical, meetings will be placed in the clinic rotations so that all clinical faculty members will be able and expected to attend or designate the appropriate proxy. All student evaluations will be collected by CCU Directors from adjunct faculty prior to the meeting to facilitate discussion. Other faculty members may be invited to participate in D3/D4 SSC discussions and provide feedback on student progress as determined by the Chair.

Relationship to the Academic Progress Committee (APC)

The Chair of the D3/D4 SSC meets with the Chair of the APC within one week after each SSC meeting. At this meeting, the chairs will determine any student issues that should be brought to the APC for discussion or action.

Caution and Probation Policy

The purpose of the status of Caution and Probation is to identify and provide appropriate support to dental students who are not making adequate academic progress and/or demonstrating the professional conduct required to matriculate through the DMD degree program in a timely manner.

Students who have been designated with the status of Caution or Probation by the appropriate ASDOH Academic Progress Committee (APC) or Student Success Committee* may be directed to available support services including counseling, tutorial assistance, special scheduling, and/or other activities that may help the student improve academic performance or professional behavior. Support strategies and measurable performance/behavior goals for the student may be summarized in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) established by committee or assigned ASDOH faculty member.

Students who are not successful in the completion of an IEP, fail to adequately progress or complete the academic or clinical portion of the program, or violate the University Academic Code of Conduct or University Code of Behavioral Standards may be subject to repetition of one or more semesters, or be dismissed from the program.

* ATSU-ASDOH student progress is monitored by the D1/D2 Student Success Committee, the D3/D4 Student Success Committee, and the Academic Progress Committee.

Definitions

Caution: Caution is a status designated by the APC or appropriate Student Success Committee which serves to notify the student that they have been identified by the faculty as being at risk to successfully complete and graduate from the DMD program with their class. The student will be informed in writing of the rationale for the faculty’s concerns which may include issues regarding the student’s academic performance, behavior, conduct, and/or professionalism. Students who have received a notice of Caution are considered to be in “good standing” within the DMD program and notice of Caution is not reported to University Enrollment Services, nor is the status of Caution recorded in the student’s official transcript. This notice is provided to assist the student with information and strategies on how to remain in “good standing” and matriculate through DMD program as planned, and to avoid progressing to the status of Probation, repetition of all or part of an academic year, and/or dismissal from the program.

Probation: Probation is a status designated by the APC and serves as a warning that the dental student’s academic performance or professionalism falls below the School’s and University’s criteria for “good standing” and therefore is reported to the University Offices of Enrollment Services and Student Affairs. Placing a student on Probation is not intended to be a punitive action, but rather reflects a serious and significant concern of the faculty, providing official acknowledgment that the student is in jeopardy of repetition of all or part of the academic year, or being dismissed if the issue at hand is not corrected. Students on Probation are expected to take steps to improve, which may include the development and successful completion of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Students on Probation may be required to meet regularly with support personnel including but not limited to support staff, counselors, faculty and/or administrators. Students on Probation are ineligible to participate in co-curricular and other School and University activities which require academic “good standing” as noted below in this policy. (College Parents of America,2009, November 29).  What to Do If Your College Student Is on Academic Probation. Retrieved from https://www.collegeparentcentral.com/2009/11/what-to-do-if-your-college-student-is-on-academic-probation/)

Repetition of One or More Semesters: A student who is unable to remain in “good standing” and/or fails to demonstrate adequate academic progress as determined by the Academic Progress Committee (APC) may be required to repeat one or more semesters and/or be required to participate in a modified/extended program curriculum.

Dismissal: Dismissal of a student occurs when the student is dismissed from the program by the Dean on an involuntary basis due to serious academic or behavioral issues as determined by the APC and is no longer enrolled in the DMD degree program.

Dismissal with the Option to Withdraw: Dismissal with the option to withdraw may be recommended by the APC or Dean to provide the student with a limited opportunity to voluntarily withdraw from the DMD program rather than being subject to involuntary dismissal from the program.

Withdrawal:  Withdrawal by a student from the program occurs when a student voluntarily withdraws and is no longer enrolled in the DMD program.

Note: Students who are dismissed or withdraw from the program and subsequently are readmitted to the program will be reviewed by the APC to determine if the status of Probation is in order upon re-enrollment.

Scope and Criteria

Caution: A student may be assigned the status of Caution for any one of the following reasons as determined by the APC or appropriate Student Success Committee including but not limited to:

• Failure of an ASDOH module or required College of Graduate Health Studies (CGHS) course
• A demonstrated pattern of passing modules or courses at minimal performance levels
• A demonstrated pattern of unprofessional behavior

Note: Students with the Caution status must realize that failure to improve academic performance or unprofessional conduct may lead to the status of Probation, the repetition of one or more semesters, or Dismissal from the program.

Probation: A student may be assigned the status of Probation by the APC for any one of the following reasons as determined by the APC, including but not limited to:

• Failure of a total of two ASDOH modules and/or CGHS courses
• Failure of one ASDOH course
• Failure to maintain a 3.0 GPA within CGHS
• The initiation of an Individualized Education Plan
• Violations of the University Academic Code of Conduct
• Violations of the University Code of Behavioral Standards
• Failure to comply with or meet the ASDOH Technical Standards
• Accrual of 5 Professionalism Compliance Citations or a continued demonstrated pattern of unprofessional behavior
• A combination of unprofessional behavior and module/course failure
• Deficient clinical performance and/or judgment

Guidelines for Limited Activities for Students on Probation: Unless otherwise permitted by the APC, students on Probation may not:

• Serve as an officer in any ATSU or ASDOH organization, or as an ambassador
• Participate in ASDOH interview days
• Represent ASDOH and/or CGHS in University programs and committees, e.g., the Falls Prevention program, IPE activities
• Participate in ATSU- or ASDOH-and/or CGHS-related co-curricular activities (e.g., humanitarian outreach trips scheduled on the academic calendar)
• Attend or represent ATSU or ASDOH and/or CGHS at conferences/events supported by ATSU or ASDOH
• Be excused from curricular activities for professional development
• Participate in ATSU or ASDOH and/or CGHS research programs

Note: Students previously on probation who exhibit any of the previously noted probation-worthy behaviors, may be placed back on probation, be recommended for repetition of all or part of the academic year, or recommended for dismissal from the program.

Repetition of Semester(s)/Dismissal: Students may be required to repeat one or more semesters by the APC or be dismissed from the program by the dean upon recommendation of the APC for any one of the following reasons that include but are not limited to:

• Failure of a third module within ASDOH
• Violations of the University Academic Code of Conduct
• Violations of the University Code of Behavioral Standards
• Failure to comply with or meet the ASDOH Technical Standards
• A continued demonstrated unresolved pattern of unprofessional behavior
• Deficient clinical performance and/or judgment

Appeals

Academic actions by the APC and/or the Dean may be appealed as follows:

• Caution and Probation: The decision to place a student on the status of Caution or Probation may not be appealed.
• Repetition of Semester(s): The student may appeal the APC’s decision for the student to repeat one or more semesters. The appeal may only be based on: 1) a procedural error by the APC or the Dean; 2) evidence of bias by an APC member; or, 3) new and significant information which was not previously considered by the APC.
• A written appeal to the Chair of the APC must occur within seven academic days (business days, excluding holidays and/or University closure dates) of the notification to the student of the decision and must contain a signature of the student (emails and faxes are acceptable). The APC will review the appeal and issue a recommendation to the Dean. The Dean will review the APC recommendation and make a final decision, which will be without further appeal, within seven academic days of receipt of the student’s appeal.
• Dismissal: The student may appeal the decision by the Dean to be dismissed from the program to the President of Arizona & California Campuses according to the process outlined in the ATSU Academic Appeals section.

Removal of the Caution or Probation Status

These guidelines are employed to assist the student in concentrating on improvement in the student’s academic progress or in improving professional behavior. The Caution or Probation status of students is reviewed by the Academic Progress Committee and/or the appropriate Student Success Committee minimally at the end of each semester. The status may also be reviewed upon the request of the appropriate course director or the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment. If an IEP was developed, the APC or SSC will review whether the student has met the plan’s objectives to remove or modify their status. Otherwise, to remove or modify the status of Caution or Probation, the APC will consider a variety of factors relevant to the student’s situation, including but not limited to remediation of modules, improvements in academic performance, clinical performance, and/or professional behaviors.

Responsibilities

• Decisions regarding Caution are communicated to the student in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment, the Chair of the D1/D2 Student Success Committee (SSC), or the Chair of the D3/D4 SSC.
• Decisions regarding Probation are communicated to the student in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment.
• Actions of Probation are communicated to the Enrollment Services and Student Affairs by the Associate Dean for Academic Assessment.
• Students may be required to meet with the APC and/or appropriate Student Success Committee to discuss their Caution or Probation status.
• Students have the option to request a meeting with the APC to discuss a recommendation to repeat one or more semesters or dismissal from the DMD program.
• Decisions regarding Dismissal are communicated to the student in writing by the Dean.

Academic Standards, Guidelines, and Requirements

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Grading Academic Integrity Attendance Immunizations

CPR Training HIPAA Training Student Dress Code

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Grading

Doctor of Dental Medicine program students earn a pass/fail grade for each course. Students do not earn grades for courses. Each course is linked to the 30 ATSU-ASDOH competencies that must be attained prior to graduation.

Grading Criteria

Faculty are encouraged to use evaluation criteria, when possible, that is based on multiple methods such as examinations, quizzes, papers, projects, presentations, case studies and/or a final examination. Each course should have both formative and summative evaluation methods.

A single assessment generally will not be worth more than 40% of the grading criteria with the exception of certain courses.

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.

Mastery of course material shall be recorded as raw scores (e.g., not adjusted or graded on a bell curve).

ATSU-ASDOH’s protocol dictates that the statistical scoring method of curving (also known as grading on a curve or bell curving) will NOT be applied during calculation to yield a predetermined distribution of grades. Furthermore, ATSU-ASDOH does not round individual assessment scores or final grades.

For clinical grading, refer to the Clinical Competency Guidebook and syllabus.

Students earning a failing grade (defined by course syllabi as either 74.9% or below or 69.9% or below, depending on the course) will be required to remediate course content and will receive an “F”. When students successfully complete the remediation process with a passing grade (75% or higher or 70% or higher, depending on the course), the grade of “F” will be changed to a “RP”.

If the student does not successfully complete remediation in accordance with the school policies, the grade of “F” will remain. The student must then retake the course at the student’s own expense. This fee is determined by the Finance Office and is based upon a per credit equation.

Grading Criteria for Pass/Fail Courses

Grade	Value
P	Pass –  on individual modules within a course an average of 75.0% or better or 70% or better, depending on the course
F	Fail – on individual modules within a course an average of 74.9% or lower or 69.9% or lower, depending on the course
I	Incomplete – Extenuating Circumstances

Failing (F) Grade

Students earning a calculated score of 74.9% or below, or 69.9% or below, depending upon the course, and fail (F) an individual module within a course will be required to remediate the module. If the remediation process is successfully completed, the final grade in the course will be submitted to the registrar at the conclusion of the semester as a Remediated Pass (RP). If the remediation process is unsuccessfully completed, the final grade in the course will be submitted to the registrar at the conclusion of the semester as a Fail (F) and the student will need to retake the course at their own expense.

Incomplete (I) Grade

ATSU-ASDOH programs adhere to the University’s Incomplete Grade Policy .

At the conclusion of the semester, a Record of Grade Change will be forwarded to Enrollment Services. If the work was not finished within the period of time specified in the agreement, the final individual module grade and final course grade will become an “F”. Students earning an “F” for a course will be required to repeat the course prior to graduation. The “F” as well as the retake grade will remain on their transcript. The student must then retake the course at the student’s own expense. This fee is determined by the Finance Office and is based upon a per credit equation.

Remediation Process

All students earning a 74.9% or below or 69.9% or below, depending on the course, in an individual module within a course (unless requesting a grade of incomplete) will be officially notified by their Course Director via email. Students earning a 74.9% or below or 69.9% or below are automatically required to participate in the remediation process and will receive an “F” grade for the individual module and will be placed on Academic Caution. The Course Director will work in conjunction with the course instructor to create a Remediation Plan unique to that student’s individual needs.

At the discretion of the Course Director, students may be scheduled to complete the remediation process during student breaks, holidays, or any other dates in which the University is open for business. This may include administering assessments during Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and/or Summer Break. Students will always be notified in advance of their remediation schedule.

To successfully complete and pass the remediation process, students must receive an equivalent of a 75.0% or higher or 70.0% or higher, depending on the course, on their Remediation Plan. Remediation Plans may include additional assignments, examinations, quizzes, case studies, projects, oral or slide presentations and/or typed papers and are determined at the discretion of the instructor. Remediation Plan assessments should provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate comprehension of the module content and be directed toward the content areas within the course in which the student was deficient. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have met and passed all requirements outlined in their Remediation Plan by the determined deadlines.

The student must fulfill all the requirements outlined in the remediation plan within 60 days of not passing the module. The course director has the discretion to extend the remediation period if needed.

Students who successfully complete the remediation process with a grade of 75.0% or higher or 70.0% or higher, depending on the course, will receive a final grade of “RP” for the course. If all module remediation requirements are not successfully completed in accordance with school policies, the final individual module grade will remain an “F” and a final course grade of “F” will be recorded on the student’s transcript. The student will be placed on academic probation and must then retake the course at the student’s own expense. Students will be notified by the Finance Office in regards to their fee.

Students who fail when retaking a course will be referred to the Academic Progress Committee (APC) and/or may be recommended for dismissal. Students may be allowed to repeat up to two courses while in dental school. Students required to retake a third course may be recommended for dismissal.

Auditing a Module

Only one module per academic term may be audited by any one student. Students who audit a module are expected to attend classes on a regular basis. Successful completion of an audited module will be determined by the instructor and recorded on the student’s transcript as an AU (audit). No letter grade or credit will be awarded for an audited module, and an audited module may not be changed to a module for credit or vice versa.

No tuition is charged for audited courses by currently enrolled ATSU-ASDOH students.

To be considered for auditing a module, the individual must be enrolled in an ATSU-ASDOH graduate or post-graduate program. Eligibility to audit a module is at the sole discretion of the ATSU-ASDOH administration. Requests to audit an ATSU-ASDOH module should go to the appropriate associate dean and must be approved in writing after consultation with the appropriate faculty member(s).

Individuals approved to audit a module will be notified in writing along with the specific module dates and be required to pay the associated fee.

Non-ATSU-ASDOH Course

Requests to audit another ATSU course outside of the dental school should go to the chair of the program under which the course is offered. Requests to audit a course must be approved in writing by an ATSU-ASDOH associate dean.

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 Academic Appeals policy  of the ATSU Policies section.

Academic Integrity

The purpose of this policy is to support the ATSU-ASDOH community of students, staff and faculty in the collective commitment to maintaining academic integrity at ATSU-ASDOH.  Academic integrity has been defined as, “a commitment to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage.”  Academic integrity is essential to the success of the School’s mission as educators and provides a foundation for responsible conduct in ATSU-ASDOH graduates as they enter the dental profession. These fundamental values are essential to create a student-centered learning environment and patient-centered clinics, providing the value to the ATSU-ASDOH graduate’s dental degree and forming the basis for the esteemed profession of dentistry.

Defining Fundamental Values and Behaviors that Maintain Academic Integrity

Honesty: Academic integrity requires intellectual and personal honesty in teaching, learning, research and service, and is the prerequisite for full realization of trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. It begins with oneself and extends to others, whether in the classroom, simulation clinic, clinic or community.  Dishonest behavior not only jeopardizes the welfare of the academic community and violates individual rights, it can also tarnish the reputation of ATSU-ASDOH and diminish the worth of the degrees we grant. Cultivating honesty lays the foundation for lifelong integrity, developing in each of us the courage and insight to make difficult choices and accept responsibility for actions and their consequences, even at personal cost.

Trust: Academic integrity fosters a climate of mutual trust, encourages the free exchange of ideas and enables all to reach their highest potential. Trust is also promoted by faculty who set clear guidelines for assignments and for evaluating student work; by students who prepare work that is honest and thoughtful; and by schools that set clear and consistent academic standards. Trust enables us to collaborate to share information and circulate ideas. The ATSU-ASDOH community is based on trust, creating an environment in which all members of the community are expected to treat others – and be treated – with fairness and respect.

Fairness: Academic integrity establishes clear standards, practices and procedures, and expects fairness in the interactions of students, faculty, and administrators. For students, important components of fairness are predictability, transparency, reasonable expectations, and a consistent and just response to dishonesty. Fair, accurate, and impartial evaluation is essential in dental education, and fairness with respect to grading and assessment is essential to the establishment of trust between faculty and students. Faculty, staff and students each have a role in ensuring fairness, and a lapse by one member of the community does not excuse misconduct by another.

Respect: Academic integrity recognizes the participatory nature of the learning process and honors and respects a wide range of opinions and ideas. Students and faculty must respect themselves and each other as individuals, not just as a means to an end. They must also respect themselves and each other for extending their boundaries of knowledge, testing new skills, building upon success, and learning from failure. Students show respect when they value and take advantage of opportunities to gain new knowledge, by taking an active role in their own education, contributing to discussions as well as listening to others’ points of view, and performing to the best of their ability. Being rude, demeaning, or disruptive to others undermines climates of respect. Members of the faculty show respect by taking students’ ideas seriously, by recognizing them as individuals, helping them develop their ideas, providing full and honest feedback on their work, and valuing their perspectives and goals.

Responsibility: Academic integrity upholds personal accountability and depends upon action in the face of wrongdoing. Every member of an academic community-each student, faculty member, and administrator-is responsible for upholding the integrity of education, scholarship and research. Being responsible means taking action against wrongdoing, resisting negative peer pressure, and serving as a positive example. Responsible individuals should take responsibility for their own honesty and should discourage and seek to prevent misconduct by others. This may be as simple as covering one’s own answers during a test or as difficult as reporting a friend for cheating. Whatever the circumstances, members of an academic community must not tolerate or ignore dishonesty on the part of others. Holding oneself and others to high standards of integrity is often challenging and requires courage.

Courage: An element of character that allows learners to commit to the quality of their education by holding themselves and their fellow learners to the highest standards of academic integrity even when doing so involves risk of negative consequences or reprisal. Being courageous means acting in accordance with one’s convictions. Like intellectual capacity, courage can only develop in environments where it is tested. Academic communities of integrity, therefore, necessarily include opportunities to make choices, learn from them, and grow.

Expectations

With a goal of establishing clear expectations for students and faculty, the following are provided as examples of behavior that are not consistent with ATSU-ASDOH’s commitment to academic integrity including cheating, plagiarism and collusion. These examples are intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive, and are not to be read as a limitation to the School’s right to discipline for infractions that are not specifically listed.

Cheating is defined as giving or receiving unauthorized aid without the consent or knowledge of the faculty, before, during or after an educational activity (e.g., an assignment, examination, quiz, paper, laboratory project, patient based competency, etc.). Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Access to Unauthorized Examination Material and Study Aids -Giving or gaining access to current or previous examination materials or study aids without the express consent of appropriate faculty member, course director, and/or examining organization. Materials include written copies or digital content of past examinations, unreleased versions, individual questions, and answer keys. This also includes the creation of unauthorized study aid materials through systematic memorization, photography, or computer “hacking”, as well as the purchase or sale of such unauthorized materials.
• Receiving Unauthorized Assistance, Collaboration or Copying – Copying, collaborating or receiving unauthorized assistance during an academic exercise, whether in a proctored or online environment. Unauthorized assistance includes, but is not limited to: copying from another student’s exam or paper; collaborating with another student, both in person and through digital communication; use of notes, text books, digital or online resources, etc. during an examination or educational activity unless explicitly allowed by the Course Director.
• Failure to Follow Examination Protocol-Failure to comply with directions given by the Course Director, proctor or designee who is governing a didactic, preclinical or clinical examination (e.g., removing a typodont tooth during a competency assessment; bringing cell phones, books, backpacks into the exam; failing to sit in assigned seats; leaving room without permission; failure to end exam as directed, etc.)

Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s work or ideas without acknowledgment. A fundamental assumption is that work submitted by a student is a product of his/her own efforts. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:

• Contributions without Acknowledgment-The submission of any papers or assignments which fail to acknowledge another’s work or contribution. This includes specific phrases or entire passages, sentences, paragraphs or longer excerpts, without quotation marks or documentation. One may also plagiarize by paraphrasing the work of another and/or submitting the style of another, which is retaining another writer’s ideas and structure without documentation.
• Purchase of Submissions -The submission of work of another that was purchased, received as a gift, or obtained by any means.
• Project or Laboratory Submissions -The submission of a written or laboratory project which was created in whole or in part by another.
• Multiple Submissions or Self-Plagiarism-The submission of academic work for credit which has already been submitted for credit by the student in another course or module, unless explicitly allowed by the course director.

Collusion is defined as secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others and include, but are not limited to:

• Unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic assignments which are offered for credit. This includes collaboration with others on written “take- home” or online examinations, or other educational activity intended to be an individual effort. This also includes allowing others to edit papers or written assignments in any substantive way.
• Deliberate misrepresentation of each individual’s contributions to a project

Reporting of Prohibited Actions by Students: Consistent with ATSU-ASDOH’s stated commitment to these fundamental values, every member of an academic community – each student, faculty member, and administrator – is responsible for upholding its academic integrity. As such, each is responsible to report any suspected breach by a student to the module or course director and Associate Dean for Academic Assessment as soon as possible, but no later than 10 business days, following the discovery of the breach.

Process

1. The Associate Dean for Academic Assessment, in conjunction with the Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Student Success, will investigate any suspected breach of academic integrity by students and report these findings to the Vice Dean.
2. In the event that there is a determination that a student has acted in a manner that is in violation of these expectations of academic integrity, the individual will be subject to the appropriate academic disciplinary actions in accordance with ASDOH policy, including dismissal from the program.

The Purpose and Defining Fundamental Values and Behaviors that Maintain Academic Integrity sections of this policy were adopted with modifications from The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity 2nd Edition, The International Center for Academic Integrity, April 2014, https://www.academicintegrity.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Fundamental-Values-2014.pdf.

Attendance

Please refer to the Absence Policies  section of the ATSU University Catalog for details regarding Extended Absences (6-15 consecutive days) and the Student Leave Policy (15+ consecutive days).

Attendance in General

Attendance of all classes, labs, and clinic sessions is expected. Specifically, students are expected to:

• Arrive early to class;
• Stay for the entire class;
• Respect the instructor’s time; and
• Communicate directly with the appropriate reporting person for absences.

Didactic Courses

Students are expected to be in class and stay for the duration of the class time. Attendance is mandatory for all assessments per the policy below.

Sim-Clinic Class Attendance

Attendance is mandatory for all lectures and sim-clinic sessions. At the discretion of the course director, students who miss more than 10% of sim-clinic sessions and/or associated lectures due to approved absences involving extenuating circumstances will earn an incomplete “I” final grade and must retake the course when it is offered again or as determined by the course director.

Students who miss more than 10% of sim-clinic sessions or a course with mandatory attendance due to unapproved absences will earn a failing “F” final grade and must retake the course when it is offered again at their own expense. Please note that random attendance may be taken during the duration of the course by the instructor of other designated personnel.

Assessment Attendance

Attendance is mandatory for all assessments (e.g. exams, quizzes, test, group and individual projects and presentations). The outcome for students missing an assessment for any reason will be determined by the course director on a case-by-case basis and may include but not be limited to:

• A request to provide official documentation (doctors note clearly articulating the student’s inability to attend class, proof of emergency or crisis, etc.)
• Earning a zero (0) score on the missed assessment if unapproved.
• The student being reported to the Academic Progress Committee (APC).
• A change in academic status (Academic Caution or Probation) as determined by the APC.

No call, no show absences for an assessment will result in an automatic zero (no credit) for the assessment and the student reported to the APC.

Clinic Attendance

Clinical attendance follows attendance policy and clinic syllabus language as outlined below.

The ATSU-ASDOH clinical experience is based on a curriculum that provides significant opportunities for students to develop knowledge, skills, and values to become a competent general dentist. Our learning environment is greatly enhanced by promoting peer collaboration and by maximizing direct patient care opportunities. ATSU-ASDOH students are admitted in part due to the experiences they bring to the ATSU-ASDOH community and what they can offer to their peers in seminars and clinic/simulation activities. As such, student participation in scheduled clinic/simulation activities and seminars is essential and required for all clinical courses.

The primary expectation of students when they are scheduled in the clinic is that they are prepared and available to treat all patients as assigned for the entire clinic session. This includes being prepared and on time to manage any scheduled patient(s) at the start of each clinic session and staying for the duration of any session as a provider or assisting others providing patient care.

On-call – CCU and Internal Rotation Directors have the discretion to allow students to leave the clinic and remain on call and available to return to clinic in less than 10 minutes. Please note that if an on-call student is not available as requested, it will be considered an unapproved absence.

Minimum Clinic Course Attendance Requirements

Students must attend a minimum of 90% of scheduled sessions to pass any clinical course. The Office of Clinical Education may provide students with a maximum number of days per semester that a student may be absent from the clinic and still meet the 90% attendance requirement. At the discretion of the course director, students who fail to meet the 90% attendance requirement may receive a final grade of Fail “F” or an Incomplete “I” as indicated in the course syllabus. Students will be required to remediate missed sessions or retake the course when it is offered again. If an “I” final grade has been earned, upon the successful completion of all course attendance requirements, the grade will be changed to reflect the actual grade earned in the course.

A student who does not participate in a scheduled clinic/simulation activity or seminar will be categorized as follows for the purposes of this policy:

• Approved absence;
• Alternative curricular activity;
• Unapproved absence.

Approved Absences

Any absence from scheduled clinic activities and seminars in the ATSU-ASDOH clinics for D2, D3, or D4 students must be approved by the Office of Clinical Education following published protocols, including providing documentation as requested. A student absence will typically be approved for the following reasons:

Unplanned or unscheduled events

• Illness and family emergency: Students who are ill or who are involved in a serious personal or family emergency may be approved for absence. Please note that students should make every effort to schedule non-urgent medical appointments at times that are not in conflict with classes or assigned clinic sessions. The Office of Clinical Education may require verification from the student’s health care provider to approve an excused absence due to illness or medical appointments.
• Bereavement: Students may be approved for up to five days absence in the event of a death of a family member. The number of days will be determined by the Office of Clinical Education based on the specific circumstances of each situation.

Planned, scheduled events

• Non-urgent and preventative medical appointments: Students should make every effort to schedule non-urgent medical appointments at times that are not in conflict with scheduled clinic sessions, simulation lab and seminars.
• Professional meetings and invited scientific or educational presentations: Students who are serving as ASDOH representatives or when an invited presenter at a scientific or educational meeting. Please note that students choosing to attend a professional meeting will not typically be approved.
• Religious holidays: ATSU-ASDOH respects the student’s need for absences due to religious holidays and cooperate in scheduling approved absences. Please note that the absence will be approved for the actual day of observance only, and that this does not include participation in retreats, meetings, or other activities associated with the student’s religious affiliation.
• Jury duty, court dates and military duty: Students with legal obligations including jury duty, subpoena and military duty.
• Post-graduate interviews and student externship programs: Post-graduate education program interviews and related formal student externships. Please note that this includes reasonable travel time, but does not include study or preparation time.  
• Planned, personal time: Students may request personal time off for reasons other than those listed above up to a maximum of 5 days per semester. Approval by the Office of Clinical Education will be based on the provider needs of the clinic, the outstanding oral health needs of the student and their dental team’s assigned patient pool, the student’s academic progress, and adequate notice of the request.

Participation Credit for Approved Absences

Students missing seminar, clinic or simulation time due to absence, regardless of whether it is approved, will not receive participation credit for the session. Students may be given the opportunity to earn participation credit that the discretion of the course director if the absence was approved as noted above. Please note that neither approved absence nor notification of absence excuses the student from meeting all clinic course requirements.

Alternative Curricular Activities

Alternative curricular activities are not considered as an absence from the clinic, as they are considered part of the ATSU- ASDOH curriculum. Students who participate in alternative curricular activities without prior approval from the Office of Clinical Education will be considered to have an unapproved absence. The following may be approved as alternative curricular activities.

• ATSU-ASDOH research externships;
• ATSU-ASDOH elective enrichment courses;
• MPH Practicum;
• Clinical licensure examinations (please note that this does not include information preparation or travel time); and
• NBDE Part 1 or Part 2 (please note that this does not include study time).

Unapproved Absences

Unapproved absences will be considered for disciplinary action by the Academic Progress Committee, with possible actions to include additional clinical assignments, repetition of a term, or dismissal from the program. Students should also consult the appropriate course syllabus to determine the ramifications of an unapproved absence on their grade and ability to pass the course.

D3 & D4 Students at External Rotation Sites

Attendance is required at external sites during the listed business hours of the site. Furthermore, students must be in attendance for at least 90% of each rotation unless an excused absence is obtained. Situations in which a legitimate emergency exists will, of course, always be considered.

Please refer to the current ICSP Student Policy Manual for details on requesting an approval for an absence from an external rotation site.

Immunizations

ATSU-ASDOH requires all students to provide proof of their immunizations in order to matriculate. This is necessary for the protection of the patient, students, faculty, and staff of ATSU-ASDOH and external rotation sites. 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 their education and/or be removed from their didactic courses until the proper documentation is received by ATSU-ASDOH.

Immunizations must be verified by providing copies of immunization records from a US licensed Physician (DO or MD), Physician Assistant (PA), and/or Nurse Practitioner (NP). All copies must contain:

• Student Name
• Student Date of Birth
• Name of clinic/office immunization was received including address and phone number
• Name of provider at the clinic/office immunization was received
• Date of immunization
• Report of results for any titers

Any non-US immunization records are not acceptable. All non-US immunization records must be translated, documented and approved by a US Licensed Physician (DO or MD), Physician Assistant (PA), or Nurse Practitioner (NP).

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis

Students are required to receive either the primary series of Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis or booster dose within ten (10) years prior to the beginning of the academic year and must ensure it is up to date while at ATSU-ASDOH.

• Required: One current Tdap
• Tetanus Titer Required: Yes
• Tetanus Booster Required: N/A
• Notes: Tetanus must be renewed every 10 years

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.

• Required: Proof of Polio immunization
• Titer Required: No
• Booster Required: N/A
• Notes: Most recent polio vaccination required

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

Students born after 1956 are required to provide documentation of the MMR vaccine prior to matriculation and a titer completed within a year of matriculation to ATSU-ASDOH showing immunity. If the titer does not show immunity, or is equivocal, student must complete a MMR booster and provide proof of booster within 30 days of negative/equivocal MMR titer.

• Required: Proof of two immunizations
• Titer Required: Yes
• Booster Required: If titer is NEGATIVE/EQUIVOCAL
• Notes: Titer/Booster must be completed within 1 year prior to matriculation

Hepatitis B

Students must complete the 3 series of Hepatitis B immunizations along with a titer (completed no more than 1 year of matriculation) demonstrating POSITIVE result. If the titer comes back negative, or equivocal, the student must complete a booster no more than 1 year before matriculation.

• Required: Proof of three immunizations
• Titer Required: Yes
• Booster Required: If titer is NEGATIVE/EQUIVOCAL
• Notes: Titer/Booster must be completed within 1 year prior to matriculation

Tuberculosis

Student must submit a negative TB test completed 6 months before matriculation date. No expired TB tests will be accepted. If you are pregnant, please see our office for exception. Students may select TB skin test, X-Ray, or blood test.

TB screenings/testing must be updated every year for ATSU-ASDOH, no matter which test is given.

• Two Step Skin test: TB skin tests must show results and induration on the report. The report of skin test must include the date skin test was completed, the date skin test was read, the reading of skin test in mm, the signature of health provider who read the test, and all skin tests must have oomm reading to be considered as a negative result. If the skin test that does NOT show oomm reading, students must receive an X-Ray showing no sign of active TB.
• X-Ray Imaging: X-ray must have  radiologist’s report of no active TB present. Copies of X-ray films are NOT accepted. Only use this option if you have tested positive for a two step skin TB test or have received a TB Immunization. During your 4th year, you may have to update the X-Ray option more than once if you choose to use this option as proof of a clear TB. This can be expensive, and can expose you to unnecessary radiation. X-ray report must include the name of student, name of Physician completing the report, contact information for the clinic/doctor, be on official clinic letterhead, and be signed by the doctor who completed the report. Report must show that student is clear of any sign of active TB. No radiographs or other medical reports that do not directly address TB screening of the lungs will be accepted as proof of TB testing.
• QuantiFERON TB Gold Test (Blood test): Blood tests must have a report showing no active TB is present. If the TB skin or blood test is positive, student must complete an X-ray and submit radiology report of no disease (copies of films are not accepted). The blood test is a blood draw option if the student does not wish to do a two step TB skin test. Report can take up to 5 days to receive and costs more than a skin test. Report must include the date of the blood draw and that blood test shows no TB disease. Report must be on official letterhead of clinic where test was completed with contact information.

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Must show two immunizations or doctor documentation of disease AND a positive Varicella titer. Titer must be completed no more than one year before matriculation to ASDOH. If titer is negative/equivocal, Varicella booster is required within 30 days of negative/equivocal Varicella test.

• Required: Proof of two immunizations or proof of disease by medical provider
• Titer Required: Yes
• Booster Required: If titer is NEGATIVE/EQUIVOCAL
• Notes: Titer/Booster must be completed within 1 year prior to matriculation

CPR

All incoming ATSU-ASDOH students will be required to take the CPR Course offered at ATSU-ASDOH during Orientation Week. We will not accept other CPR courses in lieu of this course.

Influenza (Flu)

This is NOT required at matriculation. We ask that if you have a current flu shot for the current flu season to provide documentation. Students can update their flu shots on campus during the flu shot clinic in the fall or can obtain one from their private clinic/physician.

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are strongly recommended for all students. 

Please note that many of ATSU-ASDOH’s external clinical partners require students to be vaccinated prior to training in their facilities and exemptions may not be accepted. Clinical external rotation sites may require additional testing for their site and will be at the expense of the student. Consequently, unvaccinated students may be delayed in completing or unable to successfully complete program requirements. 

Immunization Exemptions

For medical conditions or religious beliefs, a request for exemption from Risk Management requirements will be considered. However, ATSU cannot guarantee the ability to participate in patient encounters and placement in clinical rotations if this exemption is granted. Consequently, students receiving an exemption from vaccine requirements may take longer to complete the curriculum and graduate, or the student may not be able to complete the curriculum and graduate. Students seeking exemptions should submit the Request for Exemption from ATSU Vaccination Requirement form. If students are granted immunization exemptions, they must acknowledge the above risks by signing and submitting to the Director of ICSP an Immunization Exemption Risk Acknowledgement and Additional Disclosures and Requirements form.

CPR Training

ATSU-ASDOH requires that all residential students obtain and maintain, at a minimum, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. American Heart Association or American Red Cross certifications are accepted and all CPR certifications must be in-person class training. No online CPR certifications are accepted.

All matriculated students will complete CPR certifications during their 1st week (Orientation Week) with their class and renewal of CPR course will be completed with their class during seminar week of D3 year.

Prior CPR certifications will not be accepted in lieu of CPR training with your class. Non-compliance at any time during a student’s enrollment may result in disciplinary action. A random sample of student records will be audited periodically to confirm continuous coverage. These Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification requirements can be substituted with a Basic Life Support certification. 

Note: specific external rotation sites may not accept the student’s CPR certification. Therefore, it will be the student’s responsibility to obtain the correct CPR certification as required by the site.

HIPAA Training

ATSU-ASDOH requires that all residential students complete Health Information Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) training. Training is offered online by ATSU and must be completed during your first two months at ASDOH. This training must be completed annually.

Student Dress Code

The purpose of this policy is to set forth guidelines for ASDOH predoctoral program student attire and appearance in program-related activities. The image presented through interactions with patients will be a major influence in the acceptance of treatment by the patient. A professional practitioner’s appearance is often equated by the patient with the practitioner’s level of skill. Therefore, students are expected to present themselves in a manner befitting the profession of dentistry and thus are expected to maintain high standards of personal hygiene and professional appearance at all times. Further, from a health and safety standpoint, appropriate attire should minimize the potential of harboring pathogens while participating in clinic-related activities.

General Attire and Appearance

Students are expected to maintain high standards of personal hygiene and professional appearance at all times while participating in University and program-related activities, regardless of location. Clean and well-kept scrubs in a designated style and color are the default attire for all classroom, lab, clinic, and community activities. See table below for examples of appropriate attire and appearance.

ATSU-ASDOH Clinics and Simulation Clinic: For clinic and clinic simulation activities, emphasis is on the safety of our students, staff, faculty, and patients, and to ensure that the appearance of student dentists is reflective of other faculty and staff. Students are required to follow clinic policy as published in the ASDOH Clinic Manual, including use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is consistent with federal, state and local regulatory requirements.

ATSU-ASDOH External Rotations (ICSP) and Community Events/Activities: Faculty/Staff supervisors at external ICSP sites and ATSU-ASDOH Community Events may require students to modify standard attire to be consistent with site/event policies.

ASDOH Name Badge: ASDOH Student Name Badge must be worn at all times while on campus and for all ATSU-ASDOH activities with patients and members of the community, regardless of location.

ATSU ID Badge: Students are required to wear their ATSU ID Badge at all times while on campus consistent with University policy.

ATSU-ASDOH Special Events on Campus: Faculty/Staff supervisors for special events on campus may modify student dress code. Examples include Research Day, Give Kids a Smile, designated Friday Fun Scrub days, holidays, etc.

Attire and Appearance for Evenings, Weekends and Holidays: Students on campus during regular class and clinic hours should wear appropriate scrubs whether or not attending class or clinic. Students who visit campus outside of regular program hours for study or student organization meetings should be aware that our campus is utilized by multiple educational programs and by outside community organizations. High standards of personal hygiene are expected, and attire may also include casual clothing that is clean, well-kept and non-offensive.

Enforcement

Noncompliance with the student dress code is considered unprofessional behavior and may prohibit the student from participating in ATSU-ASDOH classes or activities. Determination of inappropriate attire and/or appearance may be made contemporaneously by the supervising faculty member or responsible administrator for the program activity. A pattern of repeated violations of the dress code may result in academic and/or administrative actions as outlined in course syllabi or academic policy. Actions include but are not limited to failure of a module/course, loss of clinic privileges, or removal from an ICSP rotation.

Responsibility/Authority

Students: Each student is responsible for compliance with this policy.

Faculty/Staff: Faculty/Staff are responsible for monitoring compliance and reporting violations to course/module directors and/or administration. Faculty Course/Module Directors are responsible for enforcement and action as it relates to their assigned course/module.

Administration: ASDOH administration is responsible for approval of scrub style and color, as well as policy enforcement/actions and policy interpretation. In addition, administration shares responsibility for monitoring compliance and reporting to Faculty Course/Module Directors. Clinic Administration, with the advice and recommendation of the Infection Control Committee, is responsible to develop clinic dress policy for all faculty, staff and students that is consistent with federal, state and local regulation (e.g.: OSHA, CDC).

Please note that determination of appropriate attire and appearance may be made contemporaneously by the responsible supervising faculty member or administrator responsible for the program activity.

Examples: Acceptable Dental Student Attire and Appearance

Scrubs: Class assigned color; neatly pressed unaltered scrub top and bottom with approved logo; matching top and bottom; professionally properly fitting scrub tops and bottoms that aren’t too tight or too loose

Footwear: Must be in good repair and clean; close toed solid material shoes; socks that cover exposed skin when seated

Jewelry​: Should not interfere with laboratory or clinical activities; simple earrings - studs/small hoops; simple wedding bands and watches

Outerwear: Jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts with no logos or with ATSU/ASDOH logos

Scarves: Neat and clean; of such a length or style so as not to interfere with laboratory or clinical activities

Hair: Hair longer than chin length must be pulled back away from face (to keep out of patient’s face); facial hair must be neatly trimmed so as not to interfere with the use of PPE

Nails: Neat and clean; of such a length or style so as not to interfere with laboratory or clinical activities, or cause patient discomfort

ID Badge: ATSU student identification (ID) badge must be worn and visible while on campus; ASDOH Student Name Badge

In General: Socially acceptable personal hygiene; tattoos - must be socially acceptable if visible; OSHA compliant (Clinic and Simulation Activities)

Examples: Not Acceptable Dental Student Attire & Appearance (Unprofessional & Inappropriate Attire & Appearance)

Scrubs: Unapproved scrub colors; mismatched tops and bottoms; scrubs with logos other than ATSU/ASDOH; materials sewn into or onto scrubs; revealing scrub bottoms

Footwear: Flip flops (rubber shower shoes); unkempt or dirty shoes and shoe laces; any type of sandals; exposed skin when seated, including ankles

Jewelry​: Excessive jewelry; visible body, facial or oral piercing (earrings or single nose stud exempted)

Outerwear: Jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts with logos other than ATSU/ASDOH; hoodies - hoods should not be worn over head while in class or clinic

Hair: Bangs that obstruct vision; hair hanging past face into patient operating field; 

Nails: Excessively long and/or dirty nails

ID Badge: No ID; ID not visible to patients, faculty, staff & students (under PPE is okay)

In General: Perfume, aftershave, or cologne should be avoided so as not to affect others in close proximity including patients; use of tobacco products should be avoided when treating patients; offensive body odor; tattoos - offensive/inappropriate; hats, hoods, or headwear of any kind, unless it serves a religious purpose

Curriculum

The ATSU-ASDOH Curriculum Committee is composed of a variety of faculty members representing the four required domains: Fundamentals of Patient Management, Clinical Dentistry, Community Dentistry, Practice Management and Professional Development. The Curriculum Committee is responsible for coordination, integration, and evaluation of all domains and courses across the four-year curriculum. The Committee is responsible for directing 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 ATSU-ASDOH. Note that the sequence and courses may change from year to year as the science of dentistry changes.

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. This policy applies to all ATSU-ASDOH DMD students. Exceptions are made for transfer students only, based on admission status and individualized education plans developed.

Courses