Technical Standards Policy

Policy Owner: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Policy Contact: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

POLICY STATEMENT

All applicants accepted in the School of Dentistry are required to meet the School of Dentistry technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation in order to matriculate into the Doctor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, or Master of Dental Therapy programs. 

Students that are accepted into these programs will receive a document from the Assistant Dean of Admission that describes in full the current minimum technical standards that are required for enrollment. Students must be examined by a physician and have their signature to attest that the students meets the technical standard required by the school as outlined in the document. This physical examination must have been completed within one year prior to matriculating into the school of Dentistry. 

Dental education requires the accumulation of scientific knowledge accompanied by simultaneous development of specific skills and competencies. Students cannot fulfill these requirements in coursework or patient care if they are unable to meet technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation. Therefore, students must continue to be able to meet the technical standards in order to progress in their respective programs, and in order to graduate form the School of Dentistry. Enrolled students will not be required to verify that they meet the standards by a physician’s examination unless requested due to an academic performance issue, or a behavioral issue.

Enrolled students unable to meet technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation will be referred to the academic review committee for their programs (e.g., Core Scholastic Standing Committee). These committees will have the authority to make decisions regarding students’ academic status, which includes a recommendation for a leave of absence, suspension, or dismissal. 

School of Dentistry applicants and enrolled students with questions about whether they can meet technical standards due to a documented disability should contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC).

School of Dentistry Minimum Technical Standards for Doctor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and Master of Dental Therapy can be found as appendices to this policy.

REASON FOR POLICY

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry recognizes that the award of a oral health professional degrees carries with it the full authority of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and communicates to those who might seek the services of the bearer that he or she is competent to practice general dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental therapy. This degree is a professional degree, unique in that the graduate is prepared upon licensure to practice all disciplines within their scope of practice. This requires that the students in the curriculum acquire didactic knowledge as well as psychomotor skills and the attitudes essential to the profession and agreed upon by the faculty as requisite for practice. To successfully negotiate the curriculum, students must have a level of cognitive aptitude, ethical competency and hand-eye coordination. The purpose of this policy is to describe technical standard requirements for students in the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. 

PROCEDURES

There are no procedures associated with this policy.

FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS 

There are no forms associated with this policy.

APPENDICES

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

Minimum Technical Standards For Admissions and Matriculation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There is no FAQ associated with this policy.

DEFINITIONS

Students

For the purposes of this policy, students are those enrolled in the doctor of dental surgery, dental therapy, or dental hygiene programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

There are no responsibilities associated with this policy. 

RELATED INFORMATION

There is no related information associated with this policy.

HISTORY

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS