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UF Health University of Florida
Office of Admissions College of Dentistry
Upcoming Pre-Dental Events
D.M.D. Overview

Conditions of Acceptance
Standards/requirements for health and behavior at UFCD

Professionalism Policy & Standards:

  • University of Florida College of Dentistry Office of Admissions, like Liaison, expects all applicants to exhibit professionalism when in correspondence. Applicants must identify themselves properly and honestly, as information cannot be provided to parents, spouses, family members, or friends. Misrepresentation of identity and/or dishonest, threatening, or offensive communication will not be tolerated.
  • Professional Etiquette – Provided by the University of Florida Advising Office
    • Every contact, regardless of how brief, offers professional schools additional information regarding you as an applicant and possible future student in their program.
    • General
      • Address people with consideration – Everyone!– even when frustrated
      • Always know the attire for the meeting/interview you will be attending. Even if you are just dropping something off to an office please wear appropriate attire. This does not mean a suit but it does mean business casual attire.
      • Shake hands firmly
      • If wearing a nametag place it on the right (when you extend to shake with right hand, it’s natural to look at the right side of their body.)
      • In conversation, listen more than speak; remember and use the speaker’s name
      • Focus on conversation; avoid wandering eyes
      • Make a crisp but polite conclusion: “It has been a pleasure speaking with you.”
    • Email
      • Make sure your email address is professional. Typically first initial and last name.
      • Use a meaningful subject header for your email—one that is appropriate to the topic.
      • Always be professional and businesslike in your correspondence. Address the recipient as Dr., Mr., Ms. or Mrs., and always verify the correct spelling of the recipient’s name.
        • PhD, MD, DDS, DMD, DO = Dr.
        • Masters is NOT Dr.
      • Be brief in your communications. Don’t overload with lots of questions in your email.
      • Ditch the emoticons. While a 🙂 or LOL (laughing out loud) may go over well with friends and family, do not use such symbols in your professional email communications .
      • Do not use strange fonts, wallpapers or multicolored backgrounds. Stick to a standard font like Times New Roman, 12-point.
      • Sign your email with your full name.
      • Avoid using slang.
      • Be sure to proofread and spell-check your email before sending it.
      • Example of a professional email:
        Dear Admissions,
        My name is John Doe. I did not add my new future DAT date to my ADEA AADSAS Application. Please add that I plan to take the test on 07/20/2025.
        Thank you,
        John Doe
        AADSAS ID: 12345678910
    • Telephone Etiquette
      • Efficient, effective telephone etiquette begins with receiving calls in a profession manner.
      • Identify Yourself Immediately
      • Whether you are making the call or receiving the call, common courtesy requires that you identify yourself. You do not need to make a big speech, just your name will do: “Jane Doe speaking” If you are making the call, identify yourself right away as well—“Hello Jane, This is John Smith.”
      • Go on to simply explain the reason for your call.
      • Be responsive and answer any questions clearly.
      • Do not make repeated calls to the same office without leaving a message. They may have caller ID.
    • Voice Mail
      • The two most important aspects of voice mail are the greeting and the message.
    • The Greeting
      • Make certain your greeting is professional. Prepare a pleasant, warm, professional greeting with any information the caller may need. If you are unavailable for an extended period of time, be certain to leave this information with your greeting so the caller will know you may not be available for some time or another way to contact you.
    • Leaving a Message
      • Make certain you leave your name, telephone number, and times when you can be reached. Say your name and number slowly and distinctly as if you are writing them on a sheet of paper. Consider spelling your name.
      • Leave the reason for your call if possible so the respondent is ready with the information you need.
      • Give the time and day as well just in case the message is not accessed for several days.
      • Leave your phone number at the beginning of the message with your name and at the end of the message for listener convenience. Telephone numbers can be particularly problematic so be slow and distinct.
      • If you have another mechanism of contact such as an email address leave this as well for convenience of the responder.
  • Another resource on Professional Email Etiquette is from the Business News Daily – Email Etiquette: The Dos and Don’ts of Professional Emails
  • If you attend UFCD, you will be expected to attend in-person classes in which you are enrolled.
  • Before you apply to and/or accept an offer from UFCD, you must read, understand and agree that you will meet the standards outlined in the following policy:

Technical Standards/Fitness for Duty Policy:

Criminal Background Check:

  • UFCD has a contract with Certiphi Screening Incorporated (Certiphi) to complete criminal background checks on all incoming DMD students. 
  • All accepted students should receive an email from Certiphi within a day or two of receiving an offer of admission. (Be sure to check your junk email.)
  • The cost of the background check varies from student-to-student. Certiphi will authorize your credit card for $150 up front. After the background check is complete, you will be refunded for any overage.
  • Complete a criminal background check with results that are deemed favorable by UFCD.

Dean’s Certification Form:

  • UFCD will provide accepted students access to our Dean’s Certification Form after receiving an offer of admission.
  • This form will be submitted to the office in charge of student conduct records from every institution that has awarded or will award you a degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate).
  • Complete a Dean’s Certification Form with results that are deemed favorable by UFCD.

Immunizations/ TB Screening/ Eye Examination/ Health Insurance:

  • Once you have accepted an offer of admission from UFCD and paid the tuition deposit that secures your place in the class, you will be required to provide proof of the following immunizations prior to enrollment:
    • MMR
    • Varicella
    • Hepatitis B
    • Tdap
    • MCV4 (Menactre/Menveo)
  • UFCD accepted students are required to have tuberculosis screening, a two-step process, with favorable results.
  • UFCD has determined that students have better performance in preclinical courses if they have had recent examinations and updated corrective lenses, if appropriate. An eye examination within one year of enrollment is required.
  • All UFCD students are required to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan unless proof of comparable coverage is provided to receive a waiver. Contact UFCD Office of Admissions with questions concerning the required eye examination.
  • Contact the UF Health Compliance Office for any questions concerning immunizations, TB screening or health insurance requirements.
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