School of Dentistry
Policies & Procedures
Technical Standards for Admission and Retention of Students
1. Observation: The applicant/student must be able to participate actively in all demonstrations, laboratory exercises, and clinical experiences in the professional program component of the degree and to assess and comprehend the condition of all persons assigned to him or her for examination, diagnosis and treatment. Such observation and information usually requires the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensations.
2. Communication: The applicant/student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with persons in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, assess nonverbal communications, and be able to effectively and efficiently receive from and transmit information to persons, fellow students, faculty and staff, and all members of the health care team. Communication skills include listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as the observation skills described above.
- Motor: The applicant/student must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from persons by appropriate diagnostic or therapeutic maneuvers; be able to perform basic tests; possess all skills necessary to carry out diagnostic or therapeutic procedures; be able to interpret appropriate examinations and procedures, and be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to persons.
- Intellectual/Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The applicant/student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of allied health practitioners, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the applicant/student must be able to comprehend three- dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures. The applicant/student must have the capacity to perform these problem solving skills in a timely fashion.
- Behavioral and Social Attributes: The applicant/ student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities; the exercise of good judgment; the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to care of persons; and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with persons and others. Applicants must also be able to tolerate taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical problems of many persons. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, commitment and motivation are personal qualities which each applicant/student should possess.
DISABILITIES STATEMENT: If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. Contact the Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Walb, room 113, telephone number 481-6658), as soon as possible to work out the details. For more information, please visit the web site for SSD at http://www.pfw.edu/ssd/
