Local view: College handling study guide issue

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By John Reinhardt

In response to recent Lincoln Journal Star articles about the longstanding use of a study guide by our dental students, I feel it is important to set the record straight.

The stories have painted a picture that the College of Dentistry has been lax in handling the situation. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Upon discovery of the study guide last spring, the college conducted an extensive review of all the materials in the study guide and met with student leaders. We then took immediate action to address the situation.

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John Reinhardt

John Reinhardt

Based on our investigation, I can say with complete confidence that any unreleased examinations in the guide were obtained by classes prior to our current students. However, the students used poor judgment in not bringing these files to the attention of faculty much earlier.

One of the key steps undertaken was to amend the student code of conduct to include a zero tolerance policy regarding the reproduction or use of unreleased exams. If future students are found reproducing or using unreleased exams, consequences will be severe, including possible expulsion. This will be stressed in orientation for every incoming class, as it was for this year’s freshman class.

Our students have been apologetic about this entire incident and any negative reflection it brings upon them or the college. The students are being required to hold class discussion forums and write papers on the ethics of this matter, describing what caused this situation to develop and how we can prevent it from happening again.

While I understand that editorial cartoons use satire and exaggeration, Sunday’s LJS cartoon crossed the line by impugning the quality and character of our students, who are among the best and brightest in the United States. These students are talented, capable and driven to excellence.

For 11 of the past 15 years, the UNMC College of Dentistry’s incoming class grade-point average has been the highest among the 56 U.S. dental schools. The four years in which the college has not held that distinction, the honor went to the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine.

Another objective measure of the quality of our students is their performance on Parts I and II of the National Board Dental Examinations, which are administered by the American Dental Association and are a requirement for graduation. They have ranked in the top 10 nationally on Part I for seven of the past eight years. On Part II, they have ranked in the top 10 for 12 of the past 14 years, and in the most recent ranking, they were No. 1.

Our graduates also perform very highly on clinical examinations. Based on feedback from postgraduate directors and experienced dentists with whom our graduates associate, our dental graduates demonstrate very strong knowledge and clinical skills and rank among the best in the nation.

Our students and faculty also show a great deal of compassion and eagerness to serve the less fortunate in our society. Over the past seven years, they have participated in a biannual program we call Children’s Dental Day. On those days, our students, faculty and staff provide dental care, at no cost, to the neediest and most underserved children in Nebraska. In the seven years since we initiated Children’s Dental Day, our students, faculty and staff have donated the equivalent of more than $1 million in services to needy children, some of whom had never been to a dentist.

In addition, more than 150 students, faculty and staff have volunteered for the Dental Sharing Clinic, which provides emergency dental care to Lincoln’s neediest adults.

The College of Dentistry will continue its commitment to producing outstanding dental professionals for the state. We strive for excellence. We always have. We always will.

John Reinhardt, D.D.S., is dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry.