The Technical Standards set forth the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty to obtain the academic degree awarded by the CDMI. Candidates must be able to perform the following abilities and skills.
- Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand, including those on a computer screen or electronic device. Observation necessitates the functional use of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.
- Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate in English, proficiently and sensitively, in verbal and written form, and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
- Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine motor movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks.
- Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
- Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of the candidate's intellectual abilities; the exercise of good judgment; the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities; the organizational skills to manage different schedules and course assignments independently; and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships. Candidate must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties.
- Interpersonal and patient care behavioral attributes: Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process. The candidate must be able to communicate in English with faculty, proficiently and sensitively, in verbal and written form, and be able to perceive nonverbal communication, with or without personal protective equipment. The candidate must agree to participate, pre-clinically and clinically in touching/palpating on the skin and being touched/palpated on the skin by individuals regardless of gender in all academic settings, including dental head/neck exams, intra- and extra-oral examinations, and treatment. These activities will take place in large or small group settings as directed in the College's curricular requirements.
Candidates are required to verify that they understand and are able to meet these Technical Standards upon accepting the admissions offer and signing the matriculation agreement. Candidates who may only meet Technical Standards with accommodation must contact the Office of Student Services to make a formal request. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the College Dean, will determine what reasonable accommodations can be provided. The College is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum.
Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment at the College. After matriculation, if a student fails to continue to meet the Technical Standards during subsequent enrollment, the student may apply for accommodation by contacting the Office of Student Services. If the accommodation needed to meet the Technical Standards alters the educational standards of the curriculum, the student's ability to satisfactorily progress in the curriculum will be evaluated by the appropriate College's Student Academic Progress Committee.