Adams School of Dentistry: Dental Hygiene Academic Policies

Unit Policy

Title

Adams School of Dentistry: Dental Hygiene Academic Policies

Scope

Dental Hygiene Students (DH1, DH2)

Policy

The Adams School of Dentistry's Undergraduate Dental Hygiene Program establishes academic policy governing all DH1 and DH2 students, with a structured system that incorporates various policies to ensure students receive an appropriate academic experience and progression.

Course Registration

All students enrolled in our program will be registered for all Dental Hygiene courses by the Dental Hygiene Student Services Manager. All students in a class must be officially registered before they are permitted to attend classes.  Any holds that prevent class registration must be resolved before you can register for courses during the enrollment period. No exceptions or additional time to register before the close of registration will be granted. Students must be enrolled in classes to attend and be placed on the roster.  Information regarding the hold is reflected under the Hold section of Connect Carolina Student Center. In addition, students must pay or defer their University tuition and fees before the deadline, or their registration will be canceled.

Academic Advising

The Undergraduate Dental Hygiene Program regularly monitors and assesses each student's academic performance and progression enrolled in the program.  Upon entry, each class/student is assigned an Academic Advisor who will monitor the student’s progress and help to guide them towards degree completion. While students must have an initial meeting with their advisor upon entering the program, additional meetings may be recommended depending on specific student needs. The program encourages students to use the degree audit tool, Tar Heel Tracker, as an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Tar Heel Tracker will show whether a requirement has been satisfied and is a useful tool that allows the student and the advisor to chart the student’s academic progress towards graduation. Students should use this tool to get a real-time view of academic requirements and course planning.

Students must alert their advisor of their plan to fulfill remaining general education coursework. At times, students may choose to take remaining general education courses at another college or university.  In this case, students must talk with their advisor, review the transfer credit rules, and complete the course pre-approval form before signing up for a course. All Dental Hygiene major and elective pathway courses must be taken through the UNC-Chapel Hill Dental Hygiene program. 

Roles and responsibilities of the assigned advisor:

• Onboarding first-year students
• Assist with course planning
• Clarify transfer credit rules
• Semester check-ins (Review course updates)
• Graduation preparation   
• Drop/Add Courses
• Overload/Underload
• Withdrawal
• Connection to University and ASOD resources
• DH Honor’s Thesis program confirmation

Course Fulfillment and Progression

Students may expect to receive a Dental Hygiene degree by fulfilling all the requirements of the general education, prerequisites, and dental hygiene curriculum. The Dental Hygiene Curriculum includes all core and elective pathway courses. All dental hygiene courses must be taken in the prescribed sequence. Progression to subsequent courses depends on successful completion of courses within each semester, including all prerequisite requirements.  

To progress in the program, students must successfully complete all coursework and appropriate examinations/competencies, satisfy assigned patient care responsibilities, and comply with the technical standards for the semester under review. The determination of progression is made by the Academic Eligibility Committees.

Grading

Course Directors are responsible for evaluating and grading students. The individual faculty member's method for assigning course grades will be determined per the course syllabus. Pluses and minuses will be used following The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“UNC-Chapel Hill” or “University”) undergraduate grading policy for final grades. Faculty members must publish grading scales in each course syllabus.

Grading Scale for all Undergraduate Dental Hygiene Courses:

• A: 95-100
• A-: 93-94
• B+: 91-92
• B: 88-90
• B-: 86-87
• C+: 84-85
• C: 81-83
• C-: 79-80
• D+: 77-78
• D: 72-76
• F: <71

Academic Eligibility Committees

Dental Hygiene Teaching Committee 

The Dental Hygiene Teaching  Committee, formerly “Curriculum Committee”, meets regularly to discuss and review students' academic performance in the Program. The Teaching Committee will document students who earn less than a C- in coursework to monitor their progress.  Respective course directors will complete academic performance reports to alert students to course performance that does not meet the required standards and to create plans for student improvement.  

Course directors will report any course concerns to the Teaching Committee chair. The Teaching Committee can make recommendations for students struggling with course performance by connecting the student with resources available within the University or the Adams School of Dentistry (“ASOD”) that may help them develop a plan for success.

At the end of each semester, the Teaching Committee will meet and review each student’s performance and academic eligibility.  The Teaching Committee will make recommendations on student progression to the Dental Hygiene Academic Performance Committee (DH-APC).

Academic Performance Committee 

At the end of each semester, the DH-APC will review students' performance and academic eligibility based on initial reviews and recommendations from the Teaching Committee. The DH-APC will make final recommendations regarding whether students will be promoted within the Program.  All academic eligibility regulations specified by UNC-Chapel Hill for undergraduate students apply to dental hygiene students.  Following a decision by the DH Teaching Committee, DH-APC information will be shared with the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Students will receive an official letter from the DH program director containing information about their recommendation.

The Teaching Committee and the APC will review:

• Student progress in every Dental Hygiene course (semester-semester, end of academic year, and graduation)
• Students who:
  • Fail to maintain a GPA of 2.0 (cumulative GPA or semester GPA)
  • Receive a grade below a C- or an Incomplete (INC), Withdrawal (WD), Absence from final examination (AB), or Failed and Absent from exam (FA) in a dental hygiene course during the current semester 
  • Are currently on academic warning or probation status
  • Have been subject to corrective action as a result of professionalism and/or ethical conduct lapses
  • Fail to demonstrate didactic and Clinical progression in the program

* The Teaching Committee and Academic Performance Committee reserve the right to evaluate the student's performance at any time during the semester.

Committee Recommendations and Decisions

The Academic Eligibility Committees can make recommendations and decisions on progression, graduation, reclassification, curriculum modification, or dismissal of a student at any time during their enrollment. Reclassification is the process by which a student is placed at a different point in the academic program, either to repeat the academic year or to restart the program entirely. If a student is reclassified, it will extend the matriculation period and the graduation date. Curriculum modification is the process by which a student's academic program is adjusted. Curriculum modification could also extend matriculation time and graduation dates. Dismissal is the process by which a student is removed from the academic program. This results in the student's discontinuation from the program.

Academic Eligibility Regulations

There are four levels of academic status within the Dental Hygiene Program: good standing, warning, probation, and dismissal.

The academic status of a student is assessed according to four (4) standards of academic progress:

• Cumulative Grade Point Average
  • Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Semester Grade Point Average
  • Students must maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Course Completion
  • Students must complete courses with a grade of C- or higher.
• Clinical Development
  • Students must demonstrate compliance with clinical skills and safety requirements. 

Students who meet all four of these standards at the end of an enrolled term and have no professionalism or behavioral issues will have academic status of good standing.  

Meeting these four standards is required to maintain good academic standing but does not guarantee continued enrollment. The Program reserves the right to dismiss or delay the progression of any student who does not meet the Program's expectations, as determined by the Teaching Committee or Academic Performance Committee.

Academic Performance Process

Warning to Dismissal

The status of warning can be applied to any student at the end of their first term in the program or beginning of any subsequent semesters if any of the following criteria occur:

• A cumulative GPA range of 2.0-2.4 
• A semester GPA range of 2.0-2.4 
• Failure to show academic promise in didactic, preclinical, or laboratory coursework (i.e. clinical skills, safety requirements, professionalism, University policy violations) 

Students who continue to perform below any of the standards while on warning status will be placed on probation or dismissed. Students placed on warning status cannot receive an F letter grade in any course.  

Students who begin an enrolled term with a warning status or fall short of the standards at the end of that term will receive an academic status of probation.  Students placed on probation status cannot receive a D or F letter grade in any course.  

Students who continue to perform below any of the standards while on probation will be dismissed. Beginning an enrolled term with the status of probation and falling short of standards at the end of the enrolled term may result in one of the following actions:

• Dismissal
• Reclassification—Restarting the program
• Reclassification—Repeating the academic year

GPA and Grade-Specific Standards

A student must earn at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA in all classes attempted at UNC to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. 

Students who have grades of C- or higher with a semester or cumulative GPA of 2.5 or lower will receive an official document from the Dental Hygiene Teaching  Committee and the APC referring them to meet with an academic coach connected with the University's Learning Center.

Students referred under this section are required to:  

1. Schedule and attend an Academic Coaching session with the learning center
2. Be placed on an Academic Success Plan; and
3. Return a copy of their Academic Success Plan to their Academic Advisor.

The following measures, alone or in combination, will be used to address a student who fails to achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 in Dental Hygiene courses:  

• Reclassification—Repeating an academic year; and/or
• Dismissal from the program.

Receipt of a D+ or D in any Dental Hygiene course will result in a recommendation that may require:

• Remediation,
• Curriculum modification in subsequent semesters that may delay graduation,
• Reclassification—repeat the year,
• Reclassification—restart the program
• Dismissal from the program. 

Students who are not dismissed from the program under this section will receive a recommendation based on their dental hygiene GPA and overall GPA.  

Receipt of a failing grade (“F”) in any Dental Hygiene course may require:

• Reclassification—Repeating an academic year; or
• Dismissal from the program.

Additional Grounds for Dismissals

Other factors that may result in a student’s dismissal, including but not limited to:

1. The student does not show sufficient academic or professional promise to justify allowing the student to continue his/her educational studies as determined by the academic eligibility committees.
2. The student has displayed a repeated lack of professionalism with respect to the management of patients or in interactions with other students, staff, or the faculty. These factors are as important as academic standards.
3. Any act by a student that constitutes a physical, emotional, or behavioral problem that conflicts with safety essential to the practice of dental hygiene.
4. Any act by the student that violates the Technical Standards of the ASOD
5. A student who violates the Honor Code.
6. A student who demonstrates dangerous or disruptive behavior will be evaluated consistent with the University's Interim Action Relating to Student Conduct Policy. Additionally, a student who is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or violence that in any way compromises the student's ability to deliver patient care, or otherwise jeopardizes the welfare of patients, students, staff, or faculty, will have their classroom and/or patient care privileges suspended and may be subject to dismissal from the ASOD or expulsion from the University.

Dismissal from the Program does not necessarily constitute dismissal from the University. Students enrolled in our program also reserve the right to withdraw if they are failing any didactic or clinical courses.

Incompletes (INC-)

By University standards, students have 8 weeks to complete incomplete work from the previous semester. If work remains incomplete after eight weeks, the temporary grade will be converted to an F.

Course Remediation

A student may be granted remediation based on recommendation by the APC at the end of the semester. Students who are offered remediation must successfully complete remediation.  Notification of remediation will be sent to the student in an official letter from the program director noting the deadline to complete remediation. The course director will set up an initial meeting with the student to develop a remediation plan outlining the required steps and timeline for remediation. Students who are offered remediation for a Dental Hygiene course must successfully complete remediation by the assigned deadline. Remediation will not alter the final course grade.

Failure to successfully complete the Remediation Plan will result in the following actions:

• Recommendation for the APC committee to review or change the student’s academic status,
• Reclassification—Repeating the academic year, and/or
• Dismissal from the program.

Reapplication following Dismissal

Students dismissed from the Dental Hygiene program may apply for readmission after two years. However, readmission will be considered (and granted) only in highly exceptional and compelling circumstances. The student will be required to provide evidence that subsequent performance is likely to meet or exceed minimum standards. Such application for readmission will be considered only when clearly exceptional circumstances can be documented to support the readmission request.

To request readmission following dismissal from the school, application must be made to the Admissions Committee using the same admissions process as required for all prospective students in the program. Requests for readmission that require payment of a readmission application fee will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting. Applicants must meet the admission standards applicable at that time. Admission is neither guaranteed nor automatic, even if the student is academically eligible. There may be times when the University places returning applicants in a different category (e.g., return to Carolina). Please read and follow all applicable University guidance should they place you under a different classification.

Appeal of Decisions by the Respective Performance Review Committee

All actions taken by the APC may be appealed to the Administrative Board of the ASOD.  This policy is stated in the ASOD’s Policy on Student Due Process. Students must review grounds for appeals to be considered and supply an explanation and justification supporting the ground(s) for the appeal. A written statement must be provided for all appeals. Appeals must be in writing and sent to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs within 10 calendar days of the written notification of the APC committee’s decision. The Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will refer the appeal to the Administrative Board of the Adams School of Dentistry. The Administrative Board recommendations are advisory to the Dean, who will render a decision following receipt of the same.

If, at any time during an academic appeal, a student raises a claim of prohibited harassment or discrimination, the matter will be referred to the University Compliance Office (UCO).

Dean’s List

Students will be named to the “Dean’s List” when they have a minimum of a 3.5 semester GPA with no grade lower than a C if enrolled in at least 12 hours of letter-grade credit.  The Dean’s List occurs during the fall and spring semesters in accordance with the University. All students making the Dean’s List will be recognized by the University. The University Dean’s List can be found on the University Registrar's website and is generated approximately 6-to-8 weeks after the last day of the term, as posted on the University's Academic Calendar. Awards are posted to student records and to the University Registrar's website online by mid-February for Fall terms and by mid-July for Spring terms.

*Refer to UNC-Chapel Hill’s Student Code of Conduct for any policy information regarding academic decisions when there are professionalism and/or ethical conduct lapses (example: Dean’s list).

Examination Policy

Examination types and delivery are at the Course Director's discretion.

The examination duration, information about absences from an examination, and other information can be found in the Adams School of Dentistry: Standard for Written Assessment Administration and Security. 

Students will be allowed to use an erasable whiteboard provided by the instructor. You will attest to the UNC-Chapel Hill Honor Code on your exam, and we will rely on your personal integrity to use the whiteboard only as intended.

Exams will not be open note unless a Course Director has approved the use of printed or written notes.

Any student requiring an accommodation for examinations must coordinate with the University Compliance Office (UCO) before the scheduled examination date.  

Final Examination Policy

The Dental Hygiene Program adheres to the University's guidance for final examinations in undergraduate courses taught on campus. A final examination is required in all undergraduate courses unless an exception has been granted by the ASOD Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Provost. Students who are absent from an examination will receive a course grade of AB (absent), which is equivalent to F (zero quality points), or FA (absent and failing regardless of performance on the final examination). 

Dental Hygiene Honors Thesis Program

Each academic year, the Dental Hygiene program will recognize up to three students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability and independent work in their major. Professionalism infractions or policy violations may impact eligibility and consideration. Qualified students in the second year of the program are paired with a committee that includes a faculty advisor who guides the student in an independent-study honors project. The Dental Hygiene Honors Thesis Program is supervised through a faculty liaison. 

Students are admitted to the program based on the following requirements, which are reviewed by the dental hygiene curriculum committee: 

• Completion of honors thesis program application including essay-style questions and verification from faculty advisor and academic advisor submitted electronically to the honors departmental liaison
• Cumulative GPA (includes prior to DH program at UNC-Chapel Hill): 3.3 or higher 
• Program GPA: 3.5 or higher 
• Candidate cannot have any grades below a B- in the program 

Upon admission into the honors thesis program, students will complete two independent study courses: DHYG 691H and DHYG 692H. Students will also be required to complete a learning contract which will highlight all program requirements, including GPA requirements for the duration of the program, completion of the written honors thesis submitted to the UNC-Chapel Hill Honors Thesis Repository, and an oral or poster presentation at the UNC-Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry. Failure to complete any components of the learning contract will result in dismissal from the honors thesis program. The Dental Hygiene program also follows the Honors Carolina Senior Honors Thesis guidance. 

Honor’s Designation

Is limited to graduates who successfully complete the Honors Thesis project process within the program. The designation of “Honors” or “Highest Honors” will be recorded on the diploma and transcript and will be denoted in the Commencement bulletin at graduation. 

Degree Time Limits and Course Load Limitations 

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Guideline

Students who need additional General Education coursework to complete University requirements for their Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene must complete all coursework by the end of July (end of summer session II) so that they may graduate in August of their graduating year.

Course Load Limitations 

1.  Due to the Program's rigor, students can only take courses outside of their normal Dental Hygiene courses during summer sessions and during the spring semester of their second year in the Program. Additional course(s) taken cannot impact any Dental Hygiene clinic, rotations, or didactic sessions.

2.  Academic overload is at the discretion of the Academic Advisor and the Dental Hygiene Program Director (e.g., ROTC, UNC-Chapel Hill Honor Scholarship recipients). 

• Students must gain approval from their assigned academic advisor and the Dental Hygiene Program Director

3.  Second-year DH students can register for the maximum load of credit hours in the final semester (spring of the second year) 

• Courses taken cannot compromise or interfere with your Dental Hygiene courses, including your requirement to attend all dental hygiene classes, clinics, labs, and rotations. 
• Only students with a Dental Hygiene GPA of 3.5 or higher will be approved for academic overload if needed
• If taking courses outside of the University, you must keep the following facts in mind:
  • Share what course you plan to take with your academic advisor
    • If those plans change, it is your responsibility to share that information with your advisor
  • Complete a course evaluation form.
• All DH students must have 120 hours to graduate with a BS degree at UNC-Chapel Hill
  • Ensure that you have not maxed out the number of hours that can be transferred into UNC-Chapel Hill if you are planning to take a class outside the University. 
    • If you have maxed out, you will only receive credit for the course; you will not receive hours
    • Once your course is completed and you have a grade, you must have the final transcript sent to UNC-Chapel Hill immediately to get credit for the course. (This only applies to classes taken outside of UNC-Chapel Hill.)

Second Major or Minor Approval

The process for seeking approval for a second major or minor includes the following steps:

• Student must meet with Academic Advisor to discuss details of the request.
• Academic Advisor for the Undergraduate Program analyzes the request with assistance from the Registrar to determine:
  • Student’s current academic standing in dental hygiene
    • Students that are not in good standing in the Program will not be approved for second major or minor
  • Number of remaining courses to achieve the second major/minor (student generally provides this information)
  • Feasibility of taking the required course(s) during summer session I /II and final spring semester of dental hygiene
  • Student’s ability to meet the second major or minor requirements without extending the Program of study.
• Academic Advisor approves/denies the request and notifies the student.
• If approved, the Academic Advisor sends a letter to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences indicating second major and/or minor approval.

Graduation

• To be eligible for graduation, the student must:
  • Successfully complete all coursework in courses required to obtain a BS degree in dental hygiene,
  • Successfully complete all clinical skill sheets and competencies related to clinics and labs,
  • Successfully complete all clinical course components,
  • Successfully complete OSCEs (see table below),
  • Comply with the ASOD Technical Standards,
  • Fulfill patient care responsibilities,
  • Maintain compliance with University and ASOD student conduct policies, and
  • Successfully complete Campus Life Experiences and all general education requirements.
• A student cannot be cleared for graduation until all temporary grades (INC), or course remediation assigned within that semester is complete.
• All students must be cleared by the DH graduation exit process.
• Any financial obligations to the ASOD and University must be resolved. The ASOD will not clear anyone for graduation who has a financial obligation to the ASOD. The University will not release diplomas to any student with an outstanding account balance with the University Cashier. See Dental Hygiene program manual for statements of financial obligation.

Faculty Availability 

Responsiveness to Email

Faculty and staff are expected to read emails regularly and manage their accounts appropriately. Allow at least 48 hours for a response, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., due to email overload that often occurs in academia.

Availability between semesters

Students should not expect independent work (e.g., any work related to projects, theses, papers, remediation, or incomplete coursework) to proceed with faculty input when faculty are on University holidays, unless otherwise negotiated with the faculty. In addition, faculty will generally not be available when academic semesters are not in session.

Process for Addressing Course and Faculty-Related Issues

Students may have concerns during their educational experience about a particular course, clinical experience, and/or faculty teaching style.  

When addressing course or faculty-related issues, students should follow the recommended steps in Figure 1 (below):

1. Student issues or concerns that do not involve prohibited discrimination or harassment related to a faculty member should first be discussed directly with the faculty member. If the problem remains unresolved following the discussion, the student should bring the issue to the Program Director, who will involve any other relevant parties.
2. Student issues or concerns related to a course or clinical practice should first be discussed with the course or clinical faculty member. If the problem remains unresolved following the discussion, the Program Director should become involved. Preferably, this would be accomplished in a meeting that includes the faculty member and other relevant parties.
3. If the faculty or course-related issue remains unresolved after working with the Program Director, the Program Director will contact the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs as deemed appropriate.
4. The University prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, or veteran status.  If a student believes they have experienced prohibited harassment or discrimination, the student should contact the University Compliance Office (UCO) by calling 919-966-3576 or emailing reportandresponse@unc.edu. Additional information regarding the University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Misconduct is available on the UCO website.                                              

Professional/Ethical Conduct Guidelines

Students must not engage in any conduct that jeopardizes their fitness to practice dental hygiene. The general responsibilities and fundamental expectations for all dental professionals at the school are codified in the Technical Standards and the Code of Conduct. All students must adhere to the Adams School of Dentistry: Policy on Student Professionalism along with all University and other relevant ASOD policies.

The APC may dismiss, place on probation, or recommend reclassification of a student at the end of any semester if the student does not, in the APC’s judgment, demonstrate professional conduct consistent with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association Code of Ethics, University and ASOD policy, regardless of the student's demonstrated academic performance.  

A student may be deemed ineligible for promotion, dismissed, or reclassified if the student has displayed a lack of professionalism in patient management or interactions with other students, staff, or faculty. These factors, among others, are regarded as equally important to other academic standards, as they reflect the developing capacity to deliver high-quality health care services.

The Dental Hygiene program abides by the Adams School of Dentistry: Technical Standards, which all students must adhere to.

Students must adhere to all University policies, including but not limited to the Adams School of Dentistry’s Role of Professional Conduct Policy, the University's Student Code of Conduct, and the University's Interim Action Relating to Student Conduct Policy. The final decision on a student's dismissal will rest with the DH-APC, the Dean (if the dismissal is appealed to the ASOD Administrative Board), or consistent with the University's Interim Action Relating to Student Conduct Policy when a student demonstrates dangerous or disruptive behavior. If the student is dismissed through the Honor Court process, the final decision rests with the Chancellor.

Clinical and Laboratory Performance Guidelines

Both academic and clinical student performance will be monitored regularly during the semester by faculty and course directors. Clinically, this includes student compliance with the ASOD Technical Standards in all academic environments. Clinical and Laboratory course directors should design their grading and assessment systems to evaluate students'

• Attitudinal, behavioral, interpersonal, and emotional attributes;
• Intellectual and communication skills;
• Professional standards;
• Stamina; and
• Visual, auditory, tactile, and motor competence.

If opportunities for improvement are required, the student will be advised, and an appropriate course of corrective action(s) will be prescribed.

Course Directors should notify the Teaching Committee when students are identified as having deficiencies. Evaluation of students' performance in patient care activities requires special attention. Clinic Directors, the Patient Care Coordinator, and clinical faculty closely monitor and regularly evaluate student performance in patient care.  

During the semester, dedicated clinical remedial sessions are integrated into the weekly course schedules of all clinical courses to provide timely support in addressing a student’s identified issue(s). These sessions will be set up by the Course Director once students are identified through an academic performance report submitted by the Course Director or clinical instructors within the course. Details on remediation for low performance in skill sheets, competencies, and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are provided below.

If a student does not demonstrate the qualifications outlined in the technical standards or the student’s performance is deemed questionable or substandard at any time during a semester, the Teaching Committee and Academic Performance Committee reserve the right to evaluate the student's performance at any time during the semester. It can authorize a remediation plan, disciplinary action, suspension of clinical privileges, reclassification, or dismissal. Students also reserve the right to withdraw from the program if they are failing preclinic, clinic, or lab.

Patient Care Performance and Responsibilities

For obvious reasons, evaluation of students' performance in patient care activities requires special attention. The Clinic Care Coordinator, respective Clinic Director, and clinical faculty closely monitor and regularly evaluate student performance in patient care.  If a student's performance is deemed questionable or substandard at any time during a semester, the Academic Eligibility Committees reserve the right to evaluate the student's performance at any time during the semester. It can authorize a remediation plan, disciplinary action, suspension of clinical privileges, or dismissal.

Compliance

All Dental Hygiene students must attain and maintain full compliance with state and federal statutory regulations, University policy, and accreditation standards. ASOD is contractually obligated to share individual student compliance data with health care agencies to which students have been assigned for clinical education experiences. All students must adhere to the Adams School of Dentistry: Policy on DDS and DH Student Programs Compliance. Compliance can be checked through the ASOD Compliance portal.

Clinical Suspension

A student may be suspended from clinic for reasons including:

• Behavior that imperils the safety of themselves, patients, faculty, staff, or other students, or is otherwise inappropriate for the clinic environment, and efforts to make appropriate correction have not been successful, or such behavior is sufficiently serious that immediate removal is deemed necessary.
• Activity, including inadequate patient record-keeping, that poses a risk management issue for the ASOD.
• Substandard clinical judgment or skills that endanger the health and safety of patients.
• Non-compliance with clinic policies.
• Failure to obtain required immunizations or infectious disease testing by announced deadlines.
• Failure to complete required training or periodic retraining, such as Basic Life Support (CPR) or HIPAA.
• An isolation order received from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
• Failure to pay fees due to the ASOD. This will also include a suspension from attending classes.

Summative Clinical Education Policy

Students must successfully complete summative clinical evaluations for each clinical course. Students have one (1) retake attempt for all summative evaluations. If the student meets the 80% minimum benchmark on the retake, the two attempts will be averaged, with the highest possible average score being 80%. If the student fails to meet the minimum 80% benchmark on the retake attempt, the student will earn a grade of zero (0) for that summative evaluation. Failure to successfully complete a summative evaluation (first or retake attempt) by the date indicated in the course syllabus will also result in a final grade of zero (0) for that summative evaluation. 

Gateway Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) comprehensively assess a student’s cumulative clinical knowledge and practical skills. Gateway OSCEs are worth 25% of a student’s overall preclinical and clinical course grade (DHYG 257L, 357L, 367L).

Due to the lockstep nature of the clinical curriculum, failure to successfully meet the minimum passing benchmark of the OSCEs will result in one of the following actions:

1. Reclassification—repeat the year,
2. Reclassification—restart the program, or
3. Dismissal.

Clinical Summative Evaluation by Course

*Additional details for course grading criteria are included in the respective course syllabi.

Contact Information

Title: Director, Undergraduate Dental Hygiene Program

Email: Lattice_Sams@unc.edu