Body
Unit Policy
Title
Adams School of Dentistry: Dental Hygiene Program Attendance Policy
Scope
Dental Hygiene Students (DH1, DH2)
Policy
Policy Statement
Attendance
Per University Policy, clinic/rotations, lab, and class attendance is a student obligation. A student is responsible for attending all clinics/rotations, labs, class sessions, scheduled program events/meetings, and completing classwork, including assignments, projects, examinations, and other course requirements. No right or privilege exists which permits a student to be absent from any given number of labs, clinics/rotations, or class sessions. Students are to comply with this policy as an act of academic integrity. Attendance requirements for each course will be presented to students during the syllabus review on the first day of class. Excessive absenteeism, as determined by the course director, may have an adverse effect on a student’s grade and progression in the program. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, a delay in program advancement, a delay in graduation, or dismissal consistent with the professionalism expectations and the academic policies outlined in the ASOD: Dental Hygiene Academic Policies.
Guidelines for the Absences
Students are expected to schedule routine medical, dental, and wellness appointments during University well-being days or during periods when they do not have scheduled classes, clinics, or labs. An absence occurs when a student misses a class, clinic/rotation, lab, or any other mandatory sessions from the dental hygiene program. Absences are classified as excused or unexcused based on the nature of the absence.
A student may be excused from attendance for circumstances beyond their control including, but not limited to, physical accidents, illnesses (short and long-term), maternity/paternity leave, invasive surgery, and death of a family member, etc.
All medically related absences require documentation from a licensed healthcare provider to be submitted. The doctor's note (excuse note) may serve as proof of your encounter related to your doctor's visit. Please note, this document does not imply that an absence is excused automatically.
An absence that does not meet the conditions outlined above for an excused absence will remain unexcused. An unexcused absence will result in consequences based on the attendance policy set in each individual course and this program’s attendance policy.
- National board reviews
- National board examination
- Clinical board examinations
- Medical wellness visit/checkups (i.e., with primary physician)
- Elective dental appointments
- Vacations
- Interviews
- Work Commitments
Important note:
- Students are expected to attend all labs, clinic/rotations, class sessions, and scheduled program events/meetings, except when they have a University-Approved Absence (UAA).
- Students are encouraged to communicate with the program director and course/clinic/lab directors about this type of request, and are reminded that they are bound by the Honor Code when making a request for a University-Approved Absence.
- All class tardies and early release requests should be handled by the course director as detailed in individual course syllabi.
- Students are required to make up any missed clinic sessions due to excused absences; a meeting with the clinic director will be required to identify a makeup clinic time. Students will not be guaranteed an opportunity to make up any missed educational activities, including assignments and assessments, when the absence is unexcused. This determination is at the discretion of the course director or clinic director.
How to Submit an Absence Request
All students are bound to the Honor Code when making an absence request. To be excused from a course, clinic, or lab, a student must submit an online DH Absence Request (link here). The online DH Absence Request portal requires the student to indicate the reason for the request, and the educational activities they anticipate missing. The online portal will also provide space to describe the reason for the request and to upload any documentation, such as a doctor’s note, or any other supporting documentation. Students should not upload blank Word documents. Timely notification of the absence is imperative so that course directors, staff, and patients affected by the absence can be notified. Absence requests should be submitted BEFORE the missed class, clinic, or laboratory session. If circumstances prevent advance notification, students are expected to submit the request as soon as possible, and no later than 24 hours after the missed session. Delays in submitting an absence request may result in an excused absence being denied (i.e., a student receiving an unexcused absence).
Additional steps that must be completed along with Absence Request Submission (same time limits apply as above):
- Didactic courses: Notify Course Directors via email regarding absence cc: Program Director
- Preclinic/Clinic/Lab courses: Notify respective Preclinic/clinic/lab director, patient care coordinator via email regarding absence cc: Program Director
*Notification does not constitute approval of an excused absence.
Review Process
Once the request is submitted, all absences are automatically classified as unexcused. An absence may only be reclassified as excused once reviewed and approved. Each absence request submitted will be evaluated on an individual case-by-case basis and will be reviewed in accordance with this policy.
Students can typically expect a decision via email within 24-48 hours; though review may take longer in some cases. Your course/clinic/lab directors, patient care coordinator will receive a notification indicating the decision released regarding your absence request.
A student who is not able to access the online system is required to contact the Dental Hygiene Program Director during regular business hours (M-F, 8:00 am-5:00 pm).
Contact Information
Title: Director, Undergraduate Dental Hygiene Program
Email: Lattice_Sams@unc.edu