The scene
A second-year dental student was upset before an assessment because their grandmother had been hospitalised with a severe stroke earlier that week and was critically ill. As they waited for an update on her condition, the student decided to smuggle their mobile phone into the assessment, they were caught red-handed reading a message and immediately sent out of the room.
The student was distressed that the invigilator thought they were cheating and scared that the dental school would start a fitness to practise investigation.
DDU advice
While they were understandably not thinking rationally, this incident could have serious consequences. The student’s best chance of a positive outcome was to be open and honest about what they had done wrong and try to make amends.
Universities have strict policies about switching off mobile phones and other electronic devices in exam conditions, even if there’s no intention to cheat. Serious breaches of the rules are likely to result in a disciplinary investigation and sanctions such as being awarded zero marks or suspension.
As a dental student, they may also be subject to investigation under their dental school’s fitness to practise procedure, which might prevent them from finishing the course or make it harder for them to register with the GDC after graduation. The GDC’s guidance for students (Student professionalism and fitness to practise – What you need to know) says cheating is an example of the kind of behaviour that would raise concerns about a student’s honesty and fitness to practise.
However, the GDC guidance also recognises that everyone can make a mistake, but what counts is how you respond. It says, “Even if you don’t meet a standard on a particular occasion, your recognition of the issue and responding in the right way to correct it also demonstrates professionalism.”
In this case, the student should review their Dental School’s Code of Conduct and reflect on what would have been expected of them. This would likely have involved explaining their grandmother’s illness to their tutor or the invigilator. At that point, they could have been offered support and discussed alternatives, such as postponing the assessment or leaving their mobile with a tutor.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that many dental schools have a ‘fit to sit’ policy, which means that students need to declare health problems or extenuating circumstances before an assessment or exam, or they will effectively be declaring themselves fit to continue. If the student had underperformed during this assessment, such a policy would mean they couldn’t ask the dental school to take their situation into account.
Reflecting on all this should help the student demonstrate insight and professionalism when they speak with their personal tutor. In addition, they should be ready to answer questions honestly and cooperate with any remediation measures suggested by their tutor. While it wouldn’t be easy, this approach should mean they would receive a fair and sympathetic hearing.
What happened next
The student spoke to their personal tutor the next morning and explained why they had brought their mobile into the assessment room, stressing that it was the first and last time they had done this. They expressed how sorry they were for the mistake and for disrupting the assessment for other students.
The personal tutor accepted that the student had not intended to cheat during the assessment and was pleased they had reflected on what happened and how they could have managed the situation better.
To the student’s relief, the dental school decided there was no need for a formal fitness to practise procedure, as they had an unblemished record and there were extenuating circumstances. However, they were given a written warning, and the incident was kept on file so they would need to be careful in future.
With their tutor’s encouragement, the student also got in touch with the Dental School’s Welfare Team, which arranged compassionate leave for them to visit their grandmother. They were also allowed to retake the assessment later that year.
Learning points
- Read and follow your Dental School’s Code of Conduct and the GDC’s guidance of student professionalism
- Think about how your actions might be seen by others, even if you have the best intentions
- Always seek support if you are struggling. You may not make the best decisions if you are anxious or upset
- Admit to your mistakes and reflect on what you can learn from them
Need help? Contact us
Student members can contact our dento-legal advisers for support or call us on 0800 374 626 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday
This page was correct at publication on 15/04/2026. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.
by Leo Briggs BDS, MSc Deputy head of the DDU
Leo Briggs qualified from University College Hospital, London, in 1989. He has worked extensively in the community dental service, including a brief period overseas. He has also worked in general dental practice.
Leo gained a masters degree in periodontology from the Eastman in 1995 and is on the GDC specialist register for periodontics. Since 1995, he has provided specialist periodontal treatment in both the salaried dental services and private practice. He started working for the DDU in 2005.
Between 2007 and 2009 he worked part-time at the DDU and part-time as a clinical tutor at the School for Professionals Complementary to Dentistry in Portsmouth. In 2009, Leo went full time with the DDU and became deputy head in January 2016. He continues to work clinically as a specialist periodontist in a general practice on Saturdays.