Student Statements of Respect
The following Statements of Respect outline the professional standards and ethical principles expected of dental students as they engage in clinical care, academic responsibilities, and interactions within the broader community. They serve as a foundation for fostering trust, accountability, and integrity while promoting respectful relationships with patients, colleagues, and oneself.
Students must adhere to the following Statements of Respect:
Respect for Patients
We will take the utmost care to ensure patient respect and confidentiality. As LMU-CDM students, we will demonstrate respect for patients through appropriate language and behavior, including that which is non-threatening and non-judgmental. Patient privacy and modesty should be respected as much as possible during history taking, physical examinations, and any other contact, to maintain professional relationships with the patients and their families. It is also important that we be truthful and not intentionally mislead or give false information. With this in mind, we should avoid disclosing information to a patient that only the patient’s physician should reveal. As students, we should always consult more experienced members of the dental team regarding patient care, or at the request of the patient. As LMU-CDM students we understand that patients we see are not under our care, so we will not initiate orders until after graduation and in appropriate post-graduate training. We will also never introduce ourselves or allow patients to carry the mistaken impression that we are dental hygienists or dentists rather than dental hygiene or dental students.
Respect for Faculty, Staff, Colleagues, Hospital Personnel, and Community
We will exhibit respect for faculty, staff, colleagues, and others, including hospital personnel, guests, and members of the general public. This respect should be demonstrated by punctuality and proper professional courtesy in relationships with patients and peers, prompt execution of reasonable instructions, and deference to those with superior knowledge, experience, or capabilities. In addition, we should make every effort to maintain an even disposition, display a judicious use of others' time, and handle private information maturely. We should express views in a calm, respectful, and mature manner when in disagreement with another individual, understanding that a mutual agreement will not always be reached. Confrontations of such nature will be carried out in a private location as soon as time permits.
Respect for Self
We realize that a diversity of personal beliefs serves to enrich dental hygiene and the dental profession. Therefore, we encourage the upholding of personal ethics, beliefs, and morals in both daily conduct and our practice of this Code. Understanding conflicts may exist that interfere with our personal beliefs, we are encouraged to be proactive in communicating these situations.
Respect for Proper Documentation
The written dental record is vital for communication between healthcare providers and for effective patient care. It is also a legal document and accessible for patient review. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain the integrity of patient care by accurately reporting all pertinent information within our direct knowledge. Written medical documents, including electronic correspondence related to patients and their care, must be legible, truthful, complete, and accurate to the best of our abilities. To avoid accidentally breaching confidentiality, patient care discussions should not occur in communal areas. Relevant medical or personal information about patients should only be shared with healthcare professionals directly involved in their care or for educational purposes. Any communication of patient information during educational presentations must exclude identifying details and have the attending physician's permission.
Respect for Laws, Policies and Regulations
Laws, policies, and regulations at the University, local, state, and federal levels benefit the community and are not to be disregarded or violated. Any matters under the jurisdiction of local, state, or federal laws are explicitly deemed “outside the scope” of this Code.
Role of the Faculty
In cases of suspected code violations, members of the faculty are required to report the incident to the Ethics and Honor Code Committee.
Ethics and Honor Code Committee
Role of Ethics and Honor Committee
- The Ethics and Honor Committee (EHCC) at Lincoln Memorial University, College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) is the designated body responsible for the review, evaluation, and determination of alleged violations of academic integrity and professional conduct.
- The EHCC operates under the authority of LMU-CDM and in accordance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and applicable regulations. The Committee’s decisions are based on a thorough and impartial review of the facts and are intended to uphold the integrity of the academic environment and the ethical standards of the profession.
- The EHCC is responsible for reviewing allegations, conducting hearings, and making findings regarding violations of the Ethics and Honor Code. The Committee does not determine final academic sanctions; its findings and recommendations are forwarded to the Student Progress Committee (SPC) for appropriate action.
- When reviewing any case, the EHCC reserves the right, at its discretion, to meet with the student and/or any relevant individuals whose input may be necessary to fully evaluate the case or to render a decision based on available documents.
- For students attending any EHCC meetings, the following are prohibited unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Dean for Faculty and Students: (1) electronic recording of the meeting; (2) invitation of legal counsel or uninvited individuals.
Composition of EHCC and Voting Process
The EHCC consists of 8-10 voting members from the LMU-CDM faculty, appointed by the Dean of LMU-CDM. One member serves as the Chair. A quorum is achieved when 50% of the voting members are present. Decisions are made by most of those present. The Chair votes only when needed to achieve quorum, break a tie, or create a tie to allow for further discussion.
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest
The EHCC maintains strict confidentiality regarding all student academic and professional records, deliberations, and outcomes. Confidentiality applies to all individuals involved in the EHCC process, including EHCC members, invited faculty, staff, witnesses, and students participating in proceedings.
All individuals participating in the EHCC process are required to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to the meeting. Faculty, staff, witnesses, or EHCC members who refuse to sign the confidentiality agreement will be reported to the Dean of the College of Dental Medicine for appropriate action and will be excluded from participation in EHCC proceedings. Students who fail to sign the confidentiality agreement within the required timeframe will forfeit their opportunity to appear before the EHCC and may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program. Failure to comply with confidentiality requirements may result in additional administrative or disciplinary action in accordance with institutional policies.
The EHCC is also committed to maintaining fairness and impartiality in all proceedings. All EHCC members, including voting and ex-officio members, are required to disclose any actual or perceived conflicts of interest and must recuse themselves from participation in any case where such a conflict exists. Conflicts of interest may include personal, professional, or prior relationships with the student that could reasonably impair objective judgment.
Any individual with a conflict of interest must not participate in the review, discussion, interview, or voting related to the student and will be required to leave the meeting during those portions of the proceedings. Faculty members may provide relevant information regarding a student’s performance prior to recusal when appropriate.
Students will be provided, in advance, with the names of EHCC members. Students are responsible for reporting any perceived conflicts of interest to the EHCC Chair prior to the meeting. The EHCC Chair will review the concern and determine whether recusal is warranted. Failure to report a conflict within the specified timeframe may result in the EHCC proceeding without further consideration of the concern.
All confidentiality and conflict of interest procedures are implemented to ensure a fair, unbiased, and legally compliant review process that upholds the integrity of the academic program and protects students’ rights.
EHCC Recommendations to the SPC
Following its review and deliberation, the EHCC will make a formal recommendation and forward its findings in writing to the SPC chair, and the student will be informed that the case is proceeding to the SPC. SPC will meet for final determination of academic or disciplinary action.
In developing its recommendation, the EHCC may consider factors including, but not limited to:
- The nature, severity, and frequency of the misconduct
- Whether the conduct involved harm, risk, or threat to others
- The impact of the conduct on individuals, patients, and the LMU-CDM community
- The student’s prior academic or disciplinary record
- The extent to which the student has acknowledged responsibility
- The need to uphold professional standards and maintain a safe and respectful learning environment
- Any other relevant or mitigating circumstances