DDS Academic Program Policies

Policy Regarding Patient Care Activities by Pregnant Students

Avoiding Unnecessary Risks to Pregnant Students: Pregnant students should consider the risks attendant with the delivery of dental health care. Institutional guidelines must be followed to eliminate unnecessary exposure to X-radiation. Pregnant students may elect, on recommendation by their physician and approval of the Student Health Service, to refrain selectively from treatment of combative patients; refrain from treatment situations that include the use of inhalant analgesics, general anesthesia, or other potentially hazardous substances; refrain from treatment of patients with known infectious diseases that may be of consequence to the fetus; or refrain from participation in any activities identified by their physician as placing the fetus at risk. Alternatively, pregnant students may be relieved of all clinical activity for a specific period of time for the above reasons, as recommended by their physician and approved by the Student Health Service.

Service, and the student's program director. Leaves of absence for pregnancy are covered in the School of Dentistry's policies on maternity/paternity/adoption leave.

Meeting Academic Requirements: Students who require academic adjustments as provided above due to pregnancy must nevertheless complete all graduation requirements and must have educational experiences and service commitments comparable to those of other students. Because of regular course progressions, preset curriculum schedules may prevent completion of course work according to individual preferences. Students should recognize that activities missed early in the curriculum are more difficult to make up. Therefore, graduation of any student who reduces her academic activity or takes a leave of absence for reasons of pregnancy may be delayed.

Last modified: 05/01/2002 at 09:06:02