Accreditation

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) uses a collaborative peer-review process to assess the quality of more than 1,400 dental and dental-related education programs across the nation. These programs include dental, advanced dental and allied dental training.

The accreditation process begins when a sponsoring institution submits an application to CODA. The institution then performs a comprehensive self-assessment and prepares a detailed self-study report outlining its resources, curriculum, policies and operational standards.

Next, CODA organizes an on-site review. This is conducted by a team of experts selected for their knowledge in the relevant program area. During the on-site review, the CODA team interviews administrators, instructors, staff, and students to validate the information in the self-study and ensure the program meets or exceeds CODA standards.

After the on-site review, the CODA team compiles a comprehensive report based on their observations. This report is shared with the sponsoring institution and CODA officials for further evaluation. CODA convenes twice a year to discuss site visit reports and make accreditation decisions. 

Accredited programs undergo follow-up site reviews every seven years. However, the advanced dental education program in oral and maxillofacial surgery is reviewed more frequently, every five years. 

Source: Commission on Dental Accreditation

Accreditation is a critical component of dental education because it ensures that dental education programs meet rigorous quality standards to prepare students in becoming competent and professional dental practitioners. 

Predoctoral Dental Education

• Predoctoral Dental Program

Advanced Dental Education Programs

• Advanced Education in General Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orofacial Pain
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics

Programs are evaluated on compliance with CODA Accreditation Standards.

Programs are accredited every seven years, with the exception of oral and maxillofacial surgery, which is accredited every five years.

The self-study is a crucial component of CODA's process for accrediting dental programs. It is designed to engage the entire institution in a thorough evaluation of how well it meets its stated objectives and accreditation standards set by CODA. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) requires an institutional or programmatic self-study as part of the accreditation process. 

In its mission statement, CODA outlines its goals for dental accreditation: To serve the public and dental professions by developing and implementing accreditation standards that encourage and monitor continuous quality improvement in dental education programs. CODA expects the self-study to be a catalyst for ongoing institution and program improvement, continuing long after the periodic review has concluded. 

The self-study should assess educational outcomes against the institution's goals and CODA's standards for dental education programs. It should also evaluate the effectiveness of institutional procedures, recognizing that these procedures are a means to an end and not ends in themselves.