Academic dismissal for clinical reasons: implications of the Horowitz case.

Dismissal of a student from the educational program of a school of dentistry has immeasurable impact on the student and results in considerable emotional trauma to the faculty and administration. The legalistic emphasis of today's society has resulted in an increasing amount of litigation subsequent to student dismissals. The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in the case of Ms. Charlotte Horowitz has provided helpful guidance regarding what is fair when considering student dismissal for clinical or academic reasons, or both. Inferences from this and related cases are drawn that can assist dental education administrators in developing sound dismissal procedures for the institutions they manage.