Return to: College of Dental Medicine
Competencies and Student Outcomes
(Adopted from the American Dental Education Association’s “Competencies for the New General Dentist,” Journal of Dental Education, July 2011)
The general dentist is the primary oral health care provider supported by dental specialists, allied dental professionals, and other health care providers. The practice of general dentistry requires a dentist to possess the ability to incorporate understanding, skills, and values in an integrated response to clinical and other professional situations. The competency statements describe the performance of the Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine graduates as they enter dental practice settings rather than that of students in individual courses. This document is viewed by the College as dynamic; as the practice of dentistry evolves, the College will revisit its competencies.
Domains
1. Critical Thinking
2. Professionalism
3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills
4. Health Promotion
5. Practice Management and Informatics
6. Patient Care
a. Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment Planing
b. Establishment and Maintenance of Oral Health
1. Critical Thinking
Graduates must be competent to:
1.1. Evaluate and integrate emerging trends in health care as appropriate.
1.2. Utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
1.3. Evaluate and integrate best research outcomes with clinical expertise and patient values for evidence-based practice.
2. Professionalism
Graduates must be competent to:
2.1. Apply ethical and legal standards in the provision of dental care.
2.2. Practice within one’s scope of competence and consult with or refer to professional colleagues when indicated.
3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Graduates must be competent to:
3.1. Apply appropriate interpersonal and communication skills.
3.2. Apply psychosocial and behavior principles in patient-centered health care.
3.3. Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse populations.
4. Health Promotion
Graduates must be competent to:
4.1. Provide prevention, intervention, and educational strategies.
4.2. Participate with dental team members and other health care professionals in the management and health promotion for all patients.
4.3. Recognize and appreciate the need to contribute to the improvement of oral health beyond those served in traditional practice settings.
5. Practice Management and Informatics
Graduates must be competent to:
5.1. Evaluate and apply contemporary and emerging information including clinical and practice management technology resources.
5.2. Evaluate and manage current models of oral health care management and delivery.
5.3. Apply principles of risk management, including informed consent and appropriate record keeping in patient care.
5.4. Demonstrate effective business, financial management, and human resource skills.
5.5. Apply quality assurance, assessment, and improvement concepts.
5.6. Comply with local, state, and federal regulations including OSHA and HIPAA.
5.7. Develop a catastrophe preparedness plan for the dental practice.
6. Patient Care
A. Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning
Graduates must be competent to:
6.1. Manage the oral health care of the infant, child, adolescent, and adult, as well as the unique needs of women, geriatric, and special needs patients.
6.2. Prevent, identify, and manage trauma, oral diseases, and other disorders.
6.3. Obtain and interpret patient/medical data, including a thorough intra/extra oral examination, and use these findings to accurately assess and manage all patients.
6.4. Select, obtain, and interpret diagnostic images for the individual patient.
6.5. Recognize the manifestations of systemic disease and how the disease and its management may affect the delivery of dental care.
6.6. Formulate a comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and/or referral plan for the management of patients.
B. Establishment and Maintenance of Oral Health
Graduates must be competent to:
6.7. Utilize universal infection control guidelines for all clinical procedures.
6.8. Prevent, diagnose, and manage pain and anxiety in the dental patient.
6.9. Prevent, diagnose, and manage temporomandibular disorders.
6.10. Prevent, diagnose, and manage periodontal diseases.
6.11. Develop and implement strategies for the clinical assessment and management of caries.
6.12. Manage restorative procedures that preserve tooth structure, replace missing or defective tooth structure, maintain function, are esthetic, and promote soft and hard tissue health.
6.13. Diagnose and manage developmental or acquired occlusal abnormalities.
6.14. Manage the replacement of teeth for the partially or completely edentulous patient.
6.15. Diagnose, identify, and manage pulpal and peri-radicular diseases.
6.16. Diagnose and manage oral surgical treatment needs.
6.17. Prevent, recognize, and manage medical and dental emergencies.
6.18. Recognize and manage patient abuse and/or neglect.
6.19. Recognize and manage substance abuse.
6.20. Evaluate outcomes of comprehensive dental care.
6.21. Diagnose, identify, and manage oral mucosal and osseous diseases.
Teaching Methods
The CDM creates a learning environment that fosters critical thinking, promotes professionalism, and develops skills for life-long learning by using teaching methods that are student focused. Students will participate in active learning exercises and activities in a series of integrated courses.
Self-directed learning will be promoted through pre-class assignments, studying content through various media, evidence-based analyses and critical review of learning material, and guided and unguided self-reflection exercises. Approaches to interactive teaching will include classroom presentations; group discussions; classroom participatory activities; simulation activities, including virtual reality simulators; workshops; laboratory exercises; and interactions with both standardized patients and human patient simulators. Case-based learning will integrate pillars of foundational sciences with best-practice clinical protocols presented in real-world scenarios designed to address the care and management of patients. The CDM is committed to providing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for all students while applying the described teaching and learning methods.
Tuition & Fees
Please see the 2023-2024 CDM Tuition & Fees section for information on tuition and fees.
CDM Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require schools to monitor the academic progress of Title IV financial aid recipients. KCU must certify that students are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward the completion of their KCU degree. KCU follows the regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education that students are meeting the three required measurements to determine SAP: qualitative (GPA), quantitative (pace progression) and time frame. The policy applies to students who are receiving federal aid; however, these standards are cumulative so this includes all periods of the student’s enrollment, which may include times when the student did not receive federal aid. The academic standards set forth by the academic program may vary from the financial aid policy for academic progress. Review the full CDM SAP policy here:
CDM Academic Policies & Procedures
Registration
The CDM academic calendar is divided into summer, fall, and spring semesters. Unlike traditional undergraduate and graduate institutions where students individually register for courses, KCU engages in block registration for each student cohort. The student’s respective college/department sends enrollment information to the Office of the Registrar every term. Students are responsible for reviewing their enrollment on Workday prior to each semester to ensure they are enrolled correctly.
CDM students are required to report on the orientation or registration date as specified in the Academic Calendar . First-year CDM students who fail to appear at the stated check-in time for the required orientation or registration risk losing their seat unless other arrangements have been made in advance to the start of orientation.
All outstanding financial obligations to the University must be cleared in order for a student to register. Students who are not in University compliance may not attend classes or participate in clinical experiences.
Academic Advising/Coaching
The academic advising/coaching program promotes student learning, development, and growth to encourage self-directed learning. Students are assigned to a team with a lead faculty advisor/coach. Team assignments are made annually by the interprofessional education coach, staff and faculty under the supervision of the assistant dean for Curriculum and Integrated Learning.
Academic Load
|
Full-time
|
6 or more semester credits |
| Half-time |
3 - 5.5 semester credits |
| Part-time |
Less than 3 semester credits |
Enrolled CDM students are expected to maintain a full-time status each semester.
Drops & Withdrawals
CDM students do not have the option to drop or withdraw from individual courses. Students who need to drop or withdraw from the University must initiate that request with their college and complete the Withdraw request form on Workday.
If dropping, students must initiate the drop process on or before the sixth business day of the term in which they’re enrolled. A student who drops from the college within the prescribed time requirements will have no record of the courses on their transcript.
Students must initiate the withdrawal process on or before the withdrawal deadline. The withdrawal deadline for the fall semester is Monday, October 30th 2023. The withdrawal deadline for spring semester is Friday, March 22nd, 2024. Withdrawals will be reflected with a W for each course enrolled on the transcript. Students who withdraw from the college after the withdrawal date will receive a failing grade for each course enrolled. Students are not eligible for the withdrawal process for coursework that has been completed.
Withdrawal from the college may have financial aid implications. Students are advised to talk with an academic advisor and Financial Aid prior to withdrawing.
Appeals to the withdrawal deadline must be made in writing to the dean of CDM. The dean of CDM will make a final determination based on the appeal.
Academic Standing
To determine the status of individual student progress, the CDM-SPC reviews the performance of all students in every course and in every competency area on a monthly basis.
There are three designations for academic standing: Good Academic Standing, Academic Warning, and Academic Probation.
1. Good Academic Standing
A student is categorized as having good academic standing if:
- the CDM-SPC deems student performance is satisfactory in every module, course, and in every competency area
- the student is making progress consistent with their current cohort
2. Academic Warning
Academic warning is a state of warning from KCU to the student indicating that the University is concerned about the student’s academic performance. Academic Warning is not reflected on the student’s official record. A student is categorized as being on Academic Warning if one or more of the following are true:
- a student fails a course
- the Overall Percentage Grade is less than 80%
- there are any behavioral cues or professionalism concerns by the student which may indicate concerns that are affecting academic performance.
Students placed on Academic Warning may be required to take actions deemed necessary to help improve academic performance. These actions may include but are not limited to: regular meetings with Learning Enhancement staff, sessions with KCU psychologists, meetings with tutors and/or faculty members, temporary loss of student leadership privileges and co-curricular activities, and providing frequent status updates to key faculty/administrators.
3. Academic Probation
Academic probation is an official status from the University, stating that the student is under the most intensive academic monitoring and improvement plan for the period of time they are on probation. The typical length of the academic probation is one semester, unless otherwise specified. Academic Probation becomes an official part of the student’s record but is not reflected on the transcript. A student is categorized as being on Academic Probation if one or more of the following are true:
- two or more failures are documented on the transcript
- the student does not maintain a cumulative average of 75% the Overall Percentage Grade
- the student has two or more consecutive failures that have not been successfully remediated on didactic examinations and/or clinical competency assessments.
Students placed on Academic Probation will be required to take actions necessary to improve academic performance, as listed above for Academic Warning. Students placed on Academic Probation will have their status monitored by a University faculty or staff member. Students on Academic Probation will not be allowed to serve as officers in student clubs or other intramural organizations. While on academic probation, the student may be removed from extracurricular activities such as research and positions of leadership regardless of when the probation status occurs in the term.
Academic warning and probation status is not tied to a student’s SAP, as defined by Title IV. It is wholly separate and unrelated to SAP.
Academic Failures
For academic related failures and reviews, the CDM-SPC process is as follows:
- First Module or Course Failure
- The student is notified of the first failure by way of a digital email letter and informed that a meeting with the assistant dean for Curriculum and Integrated Learning and learning specialist is required. The course director(s), student’s academic advisor/coach, a psychologist from KCU Counseling Services, and group practice leader (if applicable) will be notified of the meeting and may choose to attend. The learning specialists and the student will design a remediation plan for the failed coursework and share it with those who attend the meeting with secure file sharing.
- Remediation will be course- and student-specific and may be offered during a scheduled time, ad-hoc, or a combination of both formats. The remediation plan may include but is not limited to the following: a study plan, regular meetings with the advisor/coach and learning specialist, and regular meetings with a psychologist from Counseling Services. The remediation plan will include timelines and expected content, outcomes/behaviors, and assessments that the student will be expected to adhere to in agreeing to said plan.
- The remediation plan will be signed by the student, learning specialist, and course director(s).
- A failure to comply with the remediation plan can result in an automatic required meeting with the associate dean for Academic Affairs and Research, and the associate dean for Clinical Education and Patient care for clinical courses.
- Course or module remediations will take place either at scheduled breaks within the term or at the end of each term within the academic calendar.
- Second Module/Course or Rotation Failure
- After a second failure, the student will again meet with the groups as described above and review the previous remediation plan and make adjustments as necessary to promote success.
- Additional resources may be involved in the meeting and within the revised remediation plan. All resources that are included in the remediation plan are reviewed by the course director(s) and Office of Academic Affairs.
- The remediation plan will be signed by the student, learning specialist, and course director(s).
- A failure to comply with the remediation plan can result in an automatic required meeting with the associate dean for Academic Affairs and Research, and the associate dean for Clinical Education and Patient care for clinical courses.
- Course or module remediations will take place either at scheduled breaks within the term or at the end of each term within the academic calendar.
- Third Failure
- After a third failure of any segment of the curriculum or failure to comply with the previously approved remediation plan the student will be notified via digital email letter of a required meeting with the CDM-SPC for review.
- Prior to any meeting with CDM-SPC, the student is instructed to meet with the vice provost for Student Services to better understand the SPC hearing, how the student can best prepare for the hearing, and to answer any questions from the student.
- The student is notified through a digital email letter of the time and place of the SPC meeting.
- The student attends the SPC meeting.
- The SPC then communicates the decision to the student with a digital email letter.
- Decisions of the SPC may consist of but are not limited to the following:
- remediation,
- repeating coursework,
- repeating the academic year, or
- dismissal.
- Decisions are determined by majority vote of the members of the CDM-SPC attending the hearing.
- The student is given time to consider the decision and has the opportunity to appeal the decision. The appeals process for any CDM-SPC decision is explained to the student after the decision is delivered.
- If an appeal is desired, the student will appeal according to the Student Discipline Assurances process set forth in the Student Handbook.
Dismissal
The University reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to dismiss any student at any time prior to graduation for the following reasons:
- breach of the Code of Professional Conduct, any policy or directive set forth in the University Catalog & Student Handbook, or
- failure to comply with other graduation requirements.
If the student fails any coursework during a repeat year, they will have a formal meeting with the CDM-SPC and receive notification of dismissal. Any student wishing to appeal a formal dismissal decision must do so by the deadline detailed in the official dismissal letter, sent by email/digital letter. If a student does not appeal the decision by the deadline detailed in the official dismissal letter, then the student is bound by the dismissal decision.
Dismissal is a permanent separation of the student from KCU. Dismissal is permanently noted on the student’s KCU transcript.
Once the student completes all obligations, including payment of all outstanding balances, the Office of the Registrar will release student records upon receiving signed consent.
Off-Site Clinical Experiences
KCU CDM students will participate in on-site and off-site clinical experiences as part of their education. Once a student has matriculated into KCU CDM, the University assumes the legal liability of all clinical experiences. Legal liability includes compliance with OSHA and HIPAA law requirements and medical malpractice coverage.
KCU CDM students are only allowed to shadow or participate in clinical experiences at KCU pre-approved clinical sites. Compliance with the CDM dress code is to be maintained while either shadowing or providing clinical care at these sites. Students are only allowed to wear their KCU white coats at a pre-approved KCU sponsored clinical events (e.g., Score 1 screenings, KCU classroom presentations etc.), or when approved by their supervising faculty.
Attendance Policy
The CDM expects that students participate as active learners in all sessions, and therefore attendance for all didactic and clinical sessions is recorded and a part of the course grade. Understanding that each individual has unique life circumstances and needs, flexible time has been allocated in the student calendar to allow for such circumstances by using planned and unplanned absences. If students are unable to attend any part of a schedule session, they will need to complete the Student Absence Request form for approval by the Office of Academic Affairs and will be responsible for timely make-up of the missed material, activities, and/or assessments. Attendance will be monitored in several ways, depending on the course and activity. This process will help students learn how to manage their schedules in a way that is commensurate with what is required of a practicing dentist.
Course Attendance
Attendance at all assigned course activities, lectures, labs, and clinic sessions is essential to learner progression and is a required portion of the course grade. In the event that a student needs to miss any curricular component, absences will be managed in the following ways:
Planned Absences
In the event that a student needs to miss a course component for a pre-determined circumstance, the absence may be pre-arranged by submitting a request to the Office of Academic Affairs. When requesting a planned absence, the student must provide the Office of Academic Affairs a minimum of 14 days advanced notification for the absence in writing using the student absence request form. The Office of Academic Affairs will review requests and communicate the decision within three days for planned absence requests.
- Examples of requests for planned absences include but are not limited to:
- Attendance at a professional meeting or conference as a representative of the College of Dental Medicine
- Attendance at post-graduate interviews, formal student externships, clinical licensure exams, and National Board examinations
- Religious observances which are not already addressed by the University Academic Calendar
- Jury duty, court subpoenas, and required military duty
Unplanned Absences
The CDM understands that students each have unique life circumstances, and as such, unforeseen events may occur that will necessitate an unplanned absence. In the event of an unplanned absence, students will need to notify the Office of Academic Affairs (for absence in a didactic course) and the Office of Clinical Affairs (for absence in a clinical course) in writing via email within 24 hours of the absence. Circumstances that may prevent notification within the 24-hour time frame will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the final authority for approval will rest with either the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research or the Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Patient Care. Students will remain responsible for the content or skill being taught during the time of absence. Repeated absences or consistent tardiness may require a student to appear before the Student Progress Committee.
Tardiness
- Timeliness demonstrates respect for patients, staff, colleagues and faculty.
- Students are expected to arrive on time for all classes, clinics or extramural activities.
- Consistent tardiness may require a student to appear before the Student Progress Committee.
Student Responsibility for Coursework
Students are responsible for completion of all assigned activities within a course. The responsibility to ensure that all assignments and assessments attributed to a course have been completed lies solely with the student. Students should exercise professional responsibility in timely completion of all required activities set forth by the course director during scheduled or unscheduled absences.
Fourth Year Absences
Students will be given details about the fourth year’s schedule at the end of the third year. The process for requesting time off for externships and residency program interviews are detailed in the clinic manual.
Consequences on Noncompliance with Attendance Policy
Noncompliance with the College of Dental Medicine’s attendance policy will be considered noncompliance of professional responsibility. Planned or unplanned absences may require remediation of assigned activities, assignment, and assessments as determined by the course director. Repeated absences may require a student to meet with the Office of Academic or Clinical Affairs to address the issue and may require the student to meet with the CDM Student Progress Committee. The CDM Student Progress Committee will review repeated attendance noncompliance and determine whether such unprofessional behavior warrants official censure in the student’s academic record. The associate dean for Academic Affairs and Research or the associate dean for Clinical Education and Patient care are the final authority on absences.
Electronic Recording Policy
Electronic recording of learning activities is the responsibility of KCU IT Department staff who adhere to University guidelines for obtaining appropriate permissions from those involved. “Learning activities” at KCU involve all scheduled curricular activities including lectures, labs, small groups, presentations, reviews, demonstrations, and any activity in which faculty members, patients, or off-campus visitors are participating.
Due to technical issues, privacy, intellectual property rights, and/or the decision of the faculty member, the recording of any class, lecture, etc. is not guaranteed. Recordings are intended to supplement the education of the student, not to replace attendance at the presentation.
Recording any of these events using video recorders, cameras, camera devices, digital recorders in any form including cell phones or any type of mobile device, is not allowed without the express written consent of all persons involved and KCU’s administration. Posting of any material for “personal use” to any website also requires written consent in advance. A request form is available from the Office of Testing Services and should be completed with signatures prior to any activity. The signed form should be returned to Testing Services.
Students who initiate electronic recording of faculty, staff, visitors, or a curriculum activity without permission will be asked to discontinue the activity immediately. Additional action may involve referral to the University administration or Student Progress Committee for unprofessional conduct.
Grade & Assessment Policies
Grade System
The academic grade system for CDM students at KCU is as follows:
| Grade |
Definition |
| P |
Pass (75% or higher) |
| F |
Fail (<75%) |
| H |
Honors |
| F/P |
Pass upon remediation |
| IP |
In-Progress |
| I |
Incomplete |
| W |
Withdrawal |
| AW |
Administrative Withdrawal |
| AD |
Administrative Drop |
Overall Percentage Grade
Grading for the DMD program is pass/fail. However, students retain the percentage score earned within the required courses. The final percent score used to determine course P/F is used to calculate the student’s cumulative overall percentage grade (weighted by course credits). The overall percentage grade is used to determine class rank. Additionally, this grade is used to determine eligibility for dual-degree programs, honors, student government, research participation, club leadership, and recommendation letters for postgraduation programs. Electives and extramural activities are not included in a student’s overall percentage grade calculation.
Class Quartile Rank
The College of Dental Medicine uses the overall percentage score to determine student class quartile rank. The first quartile represents the top 25% of the class. Quartile rank is calculated and reported at the conclusion of each academic year and not reported and/or updated mid-year.
Class quartile rank will be based on the Overall Cumulative Percent Score (average percent score for all courses completed by the student at the end of each semester (fall and spring) for the entirety of their academic record in the CDM). Class quartile rank for graduation is based on the student’s cumulative overall percentage grade at the conclusion of the senior year.
| 1st Quartile |
Upper 25% |
| 2nd Quartile |
≥25% to ≤49% |
| 3rd Quartile |
≥50% to ≤75% |
| 4th Quartile |
Lower 25% |
Dean’s List
The Dean’s List is comprised of the top ten percent of students’ academic performance across the cohort for each term for each of the four years. If a student must repeat the year, they will be eligible to earn the Dean’s List distinction the same as any other students in their cohort in that repeated year. The calculation is based on the average of percentages earned in each course, and is weighted by credit hour. The Dean’s List distinction is recognized on the official transcript.
Testing Policy
Testing during a course may consist of:
- Quizzes
- Examinations
- Papers
- Presentations
- Group discussions
- Classroom participatory activities
- Case-based learning
- Simulation activities, including virtual reality simulators
- Workshops
- Laboratory exercises
- Interactions with both standardized patients and human patient simulators
Students will receive a Pass/Fail grade for all modules, courses, and clinical experiences.
- A percentage of the total point score possible for the course will be calculated based on points earned.
- The course director will assign a Pass/Fail based on the scale above.
- Students who do not qualify for a re-examination or fail to earn a passing grade following re-examination may be placed on an Academic Suspension until the failed course is offered again. This may result in the student being referred to the CDM Student Progress Committee.
- The Registrar will calculate an overall percent grade (OPG) each semester. This information will then be reported to students in Workday.
Review of Examinations
Students will have the opportunity to review their examination results after the results of the exam are calculated for the class and posted to their grade book in the learning management system, Canvas. An answer guide will be provided for review and also posted to the course gradebook. Instructions for this review process are provided annually during orientation.
Incomplete Grades
A course director may assign a grade of “I” if she/he believes that a student has been unable to complete the module/course due to extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control. An Incomplete Grade Contract will be completed by the Office of Academic Affairs in consultation with the student that clearly details the requirements for completion. The incomplete grade contract form is available on the Registrar page of the intranet.
The student’s signature is not required for the Incomplete Grade Contract to be valid. In the event an “I” grade is being assigned, the associate dean for Academic Affairs and Research must be notified before the contract is presented to the student. The student will have three business days to decline the incomplete grade and receive the current earned grade with all missing assignments calculated as a zero. The CDM will send the finalized, completed contract to the Office of the Registrar.
Any student receiving a grade of “I” must coordinate with the course director to satisfy all outstanding coursework for the module or course. Once outstanding requirements are satisfied, the course director will process a change of grade form converting the “I” to the corresponding grade. The grade change must be submitted prior to the first day of classes of the next academic year. Once this deadline has passed, the “I” becomes an “F”. Once converted to an “F”, this grade cannot be subsequently changed due to coursework completion.
Should a student decide to withdraw from the program or if she/he is otherwise separated from the University prior to completing coursework for an incomplete grade, the grade will be updated to reflect a failure (F).
A degree cannot be awarded to a student with an incomplete grade on his/her record.
Grade Changes/Corrections
Grades may be changed or corrected by the course director, upon certification in writing that an error occurred in computing or recording the grade, or a student has successfully completed re-examination or remediation. The change of grade must be documented on a grade change form, approved by the associate dean for Academic Affairs and Research and submitted to the Office of the Registrar for processing. The deadline to initiate a grade change is one calendar year after the end date of the term in which the grade was assigned.
Module/Course Grade Appeal Process
The assessment of the quality of the student’s academic performance is one of the major responsibilities of University faculty members and is solely and properly their responsibility. Grades may be appealed for reasons as follows.
Reasons for Grade Appeals
Some examples for a grade appeal could include, but are not limited to the following:
- There was an issue with the assessment process.
- Students are not informed of the basis for grade calculation in the syllabus, or prior to the assignment.
- The student’s grade was not calculated in accordance with the stated policy in the syllabus or as provided prior to the assignment, or has been assigned on the basis of something other than his/her performance.
- Significant, unwarranted, and unannounced deviation from grading procedures and course syllabi set at the beginning of the course or a grade assigned arbitrarily and capriciously on the basis of whim or impulse.
- There is an error in the computation of the grade that was not corrected.
- The student, through no fault of his/her own, was not provided with the same opportunity to complete the requirements as other students, for example, of time, access to materials, or access to the course director as the other students.
- Standards used in the determination of the student’s grade are more exacting or demanding than those applied to other students in the same module or course.
A grade appeal is not an appropriate reason or justification when a student disagrees with the faculty member’s judgment about the quality of the student’s work as a sole basis for the appeal. A student who is uncertain about whether a grade should be appealed or who needs additional information about the grade appeals process can contact the assistant dean for Curriculum and Integrated Learning.
Process of Module/Course Grade Appeal Process
If the purpose of the appeal meets any of the above criteria, students can appeal to the course director by submitting a written appeal within 48 hours of the grade being posted. Only final course grades may be appealed. After receiving a rejection of appeal from their course director, if the student feels an error remains, they may submit an appeal to the assistant dean for Curriculum and Integrated Learning within three business days of the response from the course director. The assistant dean for Curriculum and Integrated Learning will review the student’s request and make a final determination. If the assistant dean for Curriculum and Integrated Learning is the course director, the final determination will be made by the associate dean for Academic Affairs and Research of the CDM.
Academic Assessment, Status & Promotion
Eligibility for Continued Enrollment
Monthly, at the end of the academic year, and as needed, the CDM-SPC evaluates student performance. Students are considered for promotion one academic year at a time. At any time, the University, by recommendation of the CDM-SPC and/or the action of the administrative officers, reserves the right to place on conditional or stipulated status, suspend or dismiss students who have failed to:
- Maintain acceptable standards of academic performance based on the totality of their academic record.
- Maintain acceptable ethical, moral, personal and professional conduct.
- Abide by the University’s policies, rules and regulations.
- Fulfill legal or financial obligations to the University.
- Show professional promise including mental and emotional fitness commensurate with the expected degree.
- Failure to continue to meet CDM Health and Technical Standards.
Promotion in Class Standing
At the end of each academic year, the CDM Student Progress Committee will review each student’s academic performance to determine progression into the next year. Refer to the Academic Standing, Warning, and Probation policy for an outline of student requirements to meet Satisfactory Progress and progression.
Assessment of Professionalism
The University requires all students to be responsible individuals who possess the highest standards of integrity, honesty and personal conduct. These traits are prerequisites to independent learning, professional development, the successful performance of academic and clinical assignments, and the conduct of one’s personal life. Accordingly, students are expected to adhere to a standard of behavior consistent with the University’s high standards at all times off and on campus. Compliance with institutional rules and regulations, in addition to city, state and federal laws, is required of all students.
Professionalism will be evaluated as part of each formal learning assessment. Students who demonstrate unprofessionalism will be expected to remediate the behavior. The professionalism assessment is designed to provide students with a clear understanding of their progress towards meeting professionalism standards, acknowledged nationally as those that students must meet in order to graduate. Students’ professionalism assessments will also be considered as part of the recommendation process for opportunities such as honors and awards, scholarships, and residency applications. All KCU students must meet or exceed professionalism expectations in order to graduate. Details about the assessment of student professionalism will be discussed with each class annually.
For further detail of professional behavior, please refer to the CDM Clinical Manual.
Individual Course Failure and Remediation Policy
Note: Failures of a course, course remediation, clinical experience, or clinical rotation accrue cumulatively over a student’s academic career. For example, if a student has failed one course in the first year and fails another in the second year, the failure is considered the student’s second cumulative academic failure.
In order to pass a course, a passing grade within each course module and an overall passing grade for the course are required. If a student fails a module, they will go through the remediation process. When remediating a module within a course, failure to obtain passing grade for the module will result in a failure of the entire course. The resulting academic failure will accumulate accordingly.
Students will have the opportunity to re-test a failed exam or practical during the semester so they may prevent a failure of a course or module. Students will be given the opportunity to re-test once. The re-test grade supersedes the original test grade, and if the re-test grade results in a failure of a module or course the student will follow the process outlined in the Academic Standing, Warning, and Probation policy.
Remediation will be course and student specific, and may be offered during a scheduled time, ad-hoc, or a combination of both formats. Remediation is not guaranteed for any student who has failed a course or clinical rotation. Remediation being granted does not guarantee successful completion of program requirements.
Board Examination Eligibility Policy
Didactic: Integrated National Board Examination
The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) administers the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) as part of the requirements for dental licensure. This written examination is offered for dental students in the fourth year of dental school. All current students enrolled in the CDM are eligible for INDBE examination with confirmation from the Office of Academic Affairs and are expected to attempt the exam during their fourth year as a part of the requirement of graduation. Re-take eligibility after an unsuccessful testing attempt must be approved by the Office of Academic Affairs before a student can test again. Students must pass the INDBE exam for licensure, but it is not a graduation requirement of the CDM.
Clinical: National Licensure Examination
KCU CDM will offer a clinical examination on-campus at pre-determined dates. Eligibility for this examination series requires that a student be in good academic standing and have passed their corresponding clinical competencies prior to examination. Students are expected to attempt the exam as a part of the CDM curriculum, but not required to pass the exam prior to graduation. Students may elect to attempt other clinical National Licensure Examinations offered outside of the KCU Oral Health Center.
Academic Year Repeat Policy
It may be recommended by the CDM Student Progress Committee (CDM-SPC) for a student to repeat an academic year if they fail to progress academically while enrolled in the CDM. Based on the totality of the student’s academic performance while enrolled, the CDM-SPC may recommend that a student repeat an academic year in order to develop a firm foundation and to assist the student in his/her studies of the previously attempted subjects. Students approved for readmission after any period of suspension or an approved leave of absence regardless of length may also be required to repeat previously attempted and passed courses or modules. Students who fail a course in one year may be required to repeat the academic year.
A CDM student may remediate by repeating an academic year in full upon recommendation of the CDM-SPC and approval of the dean of the CDM. The student must retake and pass all courses regardless of past performance. The student is allowed no more than two attempts to successfully complete a CDM program year (e.g., first-year, second-year). If a student is unable to successfully complete the entire repeat year, the student will be dismissed from the University. Students repeating a year and failing a previously failed course will referred to the CDM SPC for consideration for dismissal.
All course enrollments and earned grades will remain on the student’s academic transcript. For repeated coursework in the CDM program, the student’s most recent grade earned is used in the calculation of the student’s overall percentage grade. Grades for repeated courses are recorded in brackets on the academic transcript. Students may only repeat a course once. The opportunity to repeat is not available if the course is subsequently inactivated.
Students who repeat an academic year must still complete their degree within six years of matriculation. The student who is required to repeat a year must, per the University policy, pay full tuition and fees for the repeated year.
Grade Assessments for Reinstated Students
For the purposes of this policy, a reinstated student shall be defined as any student of the CDM whose attendance was interrupted for any reason necessitating a leave of absence or withdrawal, and who is now returning to the CDM to continue on with the same course of study. This definition shall apply whether the interruption was voluntary or sanctioned.
All grades earned by reinstated students prior to the academic interruption shall remain part of the permanent student record. The successful retake of the course/section will then supersede the remediation process described for academic failures of continuously matriculated students. If, however, the reinstated student fails the course/section a second time; the consequences shall be the same as those described for a continuously matriculated student who fails the remediation process.
CDM Clinic Manual
CDM students are required to read and follow the CDM Clinic Manual all four years of their attendance.
Graduation Requirements
Doctor of Dental Medicine
A student who has fulfilled all academic, professional and clinical requirements may be granted the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, provided the student:
- Has complied with all curricular , professional, legal and financial requirements of KCU.
- Has satisfactorily completed the community rotations scheduled during the fourth year.
- Has challenged the national dental examination.
- Has demonstrated the ethical, personal and professional qualities deemed necessary for the successful and continued study and practice of dental medicine.
- Has received formal approval for graduation from the CDM-SPC, Faculty Senate and the Board of Trustees.
Students who meet these requirements must attend, in person, the ceremony at which the degree is conferred.
CDM students must graduate within six years of the date of matriculation. Exceptions to the six-year policy will be considered by the associate dean for Academic Affairs and Research and recommendations made to the dean for approval or disapproval on an individual basis, taking into account extenuating circumstances. Entrance and completion of dental school does not guarantee further career opportunities up to and including graduation, meeting of requirements to challenge licensure board examinations, or application for and/or acceptance into a residency training program or other postgraduate training.
Latin Honors
The criteria for graduating from CDM with Latin honors are as follows:
- Summa cum laude: Top 2 percent of class.
- Magna cum laude: Next 5 percent of class (3 -7 percent).
- Cum laude: Next 5 percent of class (8-12 percent).
Commencement Ceremony
Commencement represents a celebration of each graduate’s educational accomplishments and the time when the privileges, responsibilities, and the degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine are conferred upon the graduate. Participation in the commencement ceremony is an earned privilege for those who have completed all degree requirements, and attendance is required.