The “P” Word Venita J. Sposetti, DMD Associate Dean for Education

In the next weeks, months, years and, yes, decades, you are going to hear this word a lot.

The “P” word 0 What is it?

Professionalism

Professionalism A Profession requires acquisition and application of a body of knowledge and technical skills. Members are bound together by a shared commitment. They regulate themselves. They practice with a code of ethics. A profession has a contract with society.

The way you present yourself to others in your workplace is one small piece of becoming a professional. 0 It’s a good first step.

Professionalism 0 Not about whether you play golf, or wear plaid shirts or 2 plaids together. 0 It’s about what’s inside of you, what drives your actions.

Professionalism 0 Honesty and integrity 0 Respect for others 0 Do no harm

Professionalism 0 Trouble is there is leakage between your private life and your professional life. 0 The challenge ahead for all of you is to figure out how to be yourself, authentically you, and also to be a professional.

Professionalism 0 This isn’t something most people figure out right away. 0 You may work on this for years. 0 This is a heads up for you. 0 When you come to the college, you will begin this journey.

Professional Dress Code 0W0W e have a school dress code.

Why a Dress Code? 0 The clinics are located near D3-3, the Simulation lab, & small group rooms D 3-39, D3-31 and D When patients see you in very casual dress (the sort of thing you are used to wearing in college), patients make assumptions.

Professional Dress Code 0 They don’t know that you are a first year student and not treating patients. 0 There are already some issues for patients with student dentists treating them. 0 You are helping out the other students. 0 And you will benefit from this help as you go through dental school when you start treating patients.

Professional Dress Code 0 expected to be neat & clean, in dress, 0 present themselves to faculty, staff, colleagues, and patients in a manner that reflects their professional development.

Professional Dress Code 0 Applies in the Health Science Center during usual business hours, from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 0 It applies to all usual academic activities, including didactic lectures and exams, preclinical simulation classes, and clinical patient care activities during the four- year curriculum.

Professional Dress Code 0 The UFCD Dress Code can be found in the Clinic Procedure Manual (page 72) at the following link: 0 Education/Forms and Publications/Clinic Procedure Manual

Professional Dress Code: Men 0 clean, collared dress shirt and tie or 0 College-approved scrub top with dress slacks, or 0 approved scrub top and bottom. 0 No shorts, denim jean slacks, hats. 0 In the Sim lab/clinics, Open toed shoes are a no-no.

Professional Dress Code: Women 0 Dress (covering knees when sitting) or 0 Blouse (not T shirt) or college approved scrub top with skirt (knees covered) or slacks, or 0 a scrub top and bottom.

Professional Dress Code: Women 0 Shorts, capris and denim jean slacks and hats are unacceptable attire. 0 In the Sim lab/clinic, open toed shoes, skirts and dresses and nail polish are no-nos.

Professional Dress Code 0 Special Note: We expect you to be fully covered and modest in your appearance.

Simple solution? 0 Wear the ceil blue, approved scrubs. 0 Wear a t shirt underneath for modesty and warmth. 0 Wear plain white or black tennis shoes with socks long enough to cover your legs when seated.

White Coats? 0 Students may wear a clean white clinic coat of any length over the scrubs or dress clothes.

Go Professionally! Go Gators!