DDS Attendance Policy

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine experience is based on a curriculum that provides opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and values to become a competent general dentist. Most of the learning in the program is through a collaborative process. The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine students are admitted in part because of the experiences they bring to the school community and what they can add to class discussions and patient care activities. As such, participation in scheduled classes and assigned pre-clinic and clinic sessions is an essential aspect of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine student commitment.

Attendance at scheduled classes, laboratory sessions, clinical assignments, and community rotations is mandatory, unless expressly indicated otherwise by the course director in the written syllabus. Students who are unable to attend are expected and required to report their absence, along with the reason for the absence, as outlined in this policy. The school considers only valid reasons for student absences from quizzes, tests, examinations, and clinic activities to be documented illness, injury, or a serious personal problem (unscheduled “excused absence”) or very limited special circumstances (scheduled “excused absences”) if pre-arranged and approved as outlined in this policy. The Office of Academic Affairs is the designated approval authority to determine if an absence is “excused” or “unexcused.”

Regardless of whether the absence is “excused” or “unexcused” the student is responsible for all missed course content and activities. 

Attendance at scheduled classes, laboratory sessions, clinical assignments, and examinations is mandatory, unless expressly indicated otherwise by the course director in the written syllabus. Absence can affect knowledge, clinical skills, grades, and timeliness of graduation. Failure to attend classes, laboratory sessions, and clinical assignments will jeopardize student progress. 

Absences may be excused for the following:

Unscheduled Excused Absences

• Illness
• Family emergency
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Death in the family (bereavement)
• Inclement weather (when the School is not closed, but a student is unable to attend due to hazardous weather conditions)

Scheduled Excused Absences (2-week notice required)

• Professional meetings as a representative of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and/or invited scientific/educational presentations (maximum of 5 days annually)
• Post-graduate interviews, clinical licensure examinations, and National Board examinations (maximum of 10 days annually)
• Religious observance
• Jury duty, subpoenas, and military duty

Mental Health Days (unscheduled excused absence)

• The SDM recognizes and supports positive mental health amongst its student body. To promote well-being, each student will receive two mental health days per semester that can be used at the students discretion. They CANNOT be used to avoid taking an exam, quiz or pre-clinical competency or practical. Students are responsible for all missed work while taking a mental health day.

Scheduled or Unexcused Absences that will NOT typically be excused include the following: 

• Early departures or late arrivals due to travel arrangements
• Weddings
• Family Events
• Attending professional meetings or conventions
• Non-school sponsored humanitarian service missions
• Outside employment 
• Other School-sanctioned and sponsored activites (such as outreach or research)