Accreditation Standards

The Commission on Dental Accreditation develops and implements accreditation standards that promote and monitor the continuous quality and improvement of dental education programs. These accreditation standards are copyrighted, but they may be downloaded for educational use. Reproduction of Commission documents is permitted by permission only. Please review the Commission’s Policy on Reprints.

Continue reading to view current, revised and proposed accreditation standards relevant to dental education programs.

Hearing information can be found on the Hearings on Standards/Comments Due page.

Circulation of Proposed Revised Standards

At its Summer 2024 meeting, the Commission on Dental Accreditation directed that proposed revisions to Accreditation Standards found in Appendix 1 be distributed to the communities of interest for review and comment, with comments due June 1, 2025.  Comments will be considered at the Summer 2025 Commission meeting.  

Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Orofacial Pain (Appendix 01)
Comment Portal for the above Standards 

At its Winter 2025 meeting, the Commission on Dental Accreditation directed that proposed revisions to Accreditation Standards found in Appendix 2 be distributed to the communities of interest for review and comment, with comments due June 1, 2025.  Comments will be considered at the Summer 2025 Commission meeting.  

Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs  (Appendix 02) 
Comment Portal for the above Standards

At its Winter 2025 meeting, the Commission on Dental Accreditation directed that proposed revisions to Accreditation Standards found in Appendices 3 through 5 be distributed to the communities of interest for review and comment, with comments due December 1, 2025.  Comments will be considered at the Winter 2026 Commission meeting.  

Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Appendix 03)
Comment Portal for the above Standards

Accreditation Standards for Clinical Fellowship Training Programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Appendix 04)
Comment Portal for the above Standards

Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Periodontics (Appendix 05)
Comment Portal for the above Standards 

View more details on upcoming hearings and deadlines for comments.  

 

On January 31, 2025 the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs, related to Standard 3-6, related to faculty credentials, with immediate implementation. 

• Redlined Dental Hygiene Standard (PDF)
• Dental Hygiene Standards (PDF)

On January 31, 2025 the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Endodontics, related to the intent statement of Standard 2-2, for administrative oversight at major sites where educational activity occurs,  with immediate implementation.

• Redlined Endodontics Standard (PDF)
• Endodontics Standards (PDF)

On January 31, 2025 the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, related to an intent statement for faculty ratios, with immediate implementation.

• Redlined Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Standard (PDF)
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Standards (PDF)

On January 31, 2025 the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Pediatric Dentistry, related to an intent statement in Standard 2-2, for administrative oversight at major sites where educational activity occurs,  with immediate implementation.

• Redlined Pediatric Dentistry Standard (PDF)
• Pediatric Dentistry Standards (PDF)

On January 31, 2025 the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Prosthodontics, related to an intent statement in Standard 1-2, for administrative oversight at major sites where educational activity occurs, with immediate implementation.

• Redlined Prosthodontics Standard (PDF)
• Prosthodontics Standards (PDF)

On January 31, 2025 the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Oral Medicine, related to an intent statement in Standard 3-2, for administrative oversight at major sites where educational activity occurs, with immediate implementation.

• Redlined Oral Medicine Standard (PDF)
• Oral Medicine Standards (PDF)

On January 31, 2025 the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in in Orofacial Pain, related to an intent statement in Standard 3-2, for administrative oversight at major sites where educational activity occurs, with immediate implementation.

• Redlined Orofacial Pain Standard (PDF)
• Orofacial Pain Standards (PDF)

On January 31, 2025 the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Advanced Education in General Dentistry, related to the optional second year and directed revision of all related documents, with an implementation date of July 1, 2025.

• Redlined AEGD Standard (PDF)
• 2025 Advanced Education in General Dentistry Standards (PDF)

On January 31, 2025 the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in General Practice Residency, related to the optional second year and directed revision of all related documents, with an implementation date of July 1, 2025.

• Redlined GPR Standard (PDF)
• 2025 General Practice Residency Standards (PDF)