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Visiting Student Program and Policy

1. Prospective visiting students must:
a.  Submit a letter or email inquiry expressing a desire to become a visiting student
2. The inquiry must include:
a.  The specific learning objectives of the visit.
b.  The times the student will be available to visit.

The above information is directed to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs or, to the Director of the Dentistry In Service to Communities (DISC) Program, part of the Department of Dental Ecology, who then serves as a point of contact for the potential visiting student.  The DISC Program Director will serve as the faculty advisor for the visiting student.  The DISC Program Manager will serve as the coordinator for the visiting student’s visit.  Current students are also identified to serve as mentors and hosts, working with the DISC Program, to help achieve the educational objectives of the visitors.

If a department prefers to manage their own visiting student program, all student contacts may then be directed to that department. However, the general procedures outlined here, must be followed. In addition, a faculty member must be identified within said department, who would then serve as the mentor and primary contact point for the visiting student.

The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs retains final approval of all requests for visiting students entering the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Dentistry.
Once the above is accomplished, the prospective visiting student must:

1. Complete a Visiting Student Application Form,
2. Be currently enrolled in good standing at another dental school, documented by a letter of recommendation from their academic dean and other letters or recommendation or transcripts if requested,
3. Provide any required documentation of vaccination or health status as determined by the Clinical Affairs, Nurse Education Clinician.

Also please note the following:

• Visiting students will be responsible for their own funding and arranging their own room and board.
• The faculty advisor (DISC Director) will provide general oversight of the student academic activities during the period of the visit.
• The student will be allowed to attend seminars, participate in core didactic courses and electives, and observe in clinics as available.
• All students approved for visiting are required to have fulfilled certain compliance obligations, such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training. If a visiting student will be observing patients or engaging in patient care (see specific guidelines, below), they may also be required to complete additional training consistent with UNC School of Dentistry policies.
• Visiting students are permitted to deliver patient care only in exceptional circumstances and only with approval from the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs. See below for specific requirements.
• There are no guarantees that this program will be available at any specific time and participation is possible on a space available basis only.
• The application must be approved three (3) months prior to the start of the program.
• No formal academic degree or certificate will be awarded. However, individual departments may choose to award a Certificate of Recognition for participation only.
• Visits generally last for a period of one to two weeks and are limited to four consecutive weeks.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

Visiting students must provide the specific information (described below) to: Clinical Affairs - Nurse Education Clinician, UNC School of Dentistry.

A.  All visiting dental students who will be observing direct patient care must:

• provide documentation of current Tuberculosis (TB) skin testing at least two weeks prior to arrival.  The TB skin test must have been completed within the past 12 months, and cannot expire during the period of time visiting the UNC School of Dentistry.  The TB test should include both, date test was placed and date test was read information.  Any positive TB test, regardless of prior vaccination, will require a current chest radiograph along with a medical radiologist consultation.  All vaccination forms, radiographs and medical evaluations (with English translations), must be submitted to the Clinical Affairs, Nurse Education Clinician.
• complete UNC HIPAA training upon arrival (computer-based).

B.  All visiting dental students who will be providing direct patient care must:

• provide evidence of malpractice insurance from their home institution
• provide documentation of current Basic Life Support (BLS) training (must have been trained in the last two years) prior to arrival.
• provide documentation of current Tuberculosis (TB) skin testing at least two weeks prior to arrival.  The TB skin test must have been completed within the past 12 months, and cannot expire during the period of time visiting the UNC School of Dentistry.  The TB test should include both, date test was placed and date test was read information.  Any positive TB test, regardless of prior vaccination, will require a current chest radiograph along with a medical radiologist consultation.  All vaccination forms, radiographs and medical evaluations (with English translations), must be submitted to the Clinical Affairs, Nurse Education Clinician.
• complete UNC HIPAA training upon arrival (computer-based).