All freshman and sophomore dental students must work in pairs in the clinic. Junior and senior dental students work solo during all clinic sessions except when in the pediatric or orthodontic clinic, where pairing is required. Additionally, DS3 students may be paired for certain courses involving patient treatment-specific disciplines (check with individual departments for further clarification).
The Department of Periodontics determines an initial pairing of students in the freshman class; however, the clinic partners assigned for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year will be assigned by the Director of Comprehensive Care. Students are required to always work with their designated partner when pairing is mandatory. Exceptions must be authorized by the Course Director, Group Practice Director, or the Director of Clinics. Failure to observe the clinic pairings while scheduling patients will result in clinic suspension, the length of which will be at the discretion of the clinical course director. Students are also expected to share available clinic sessions so they and their partners have access to an equal amount of time to treat their respective patients.
Because student pairings are used in the development of rotation schedules, students may not switch partners without the approval of the Director of Comprehensive Care. For pairs wishing to change partners, all four students involved must personally inform the Director of Comprehensive Care that they agree to the switch. Even if all parties agree, the request will be postponed if there is any potential adverse impact on rotation schedules.
If your partner is absent during a clinic session when pairing is required, notify the attending faculty member in that clinic who will determine the appropriate course of action. In most instances, students must find another classmate to assist them.
For dental hygiene students, pairing is required only during the fall semester of the first year. The Department of Dental Hygiene pairs hygiene students for courses.
