Accreditation

A look at CODA’s role in the accreditation  of U.S. dental, advanced dental and allied dental education programs.

How Accreditation Works

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) employs a collaborative peer review accreditation process to evaluate the quality of over 1,400 dental and dental-related education programs nationwide, including dental, advanced dental and allied dental programs.

The accreditation process begins when a sponsoring institution submits an application to CODA. The institution then completes a comprehensive self-analysis and self-study report detailing its resources, curriculum, policies and operational standards.

The next step is an on-site review conducted by CODA team members selected for their expertise in the program area. They conduct interviews with administrators, instructors, staff and students to verify information in the self-study and ensure that the program meets minimum accreditation standards.

CODA team members then write a detailed site visit report based on their findings and share it with both the sponsoring institution and CODA officials. CODA meets twice a year (usually in January/February and July/August) to review site visit reports and other program reports, and make accreditation decisions.

All accredited programs receive a follow-up site review every seven years, except for advanced dental education programs in oral and maxillofacial surgery, which are reviewed every five years.

Procedures to follow in preparing and submitting an application to CODA.
Consultation and accreditation services for predoctoral programs outside the U.S. 
Full details on CODA’s fee schedule for accreditation.
Dates for upcoming CODA meetings, past meeting minutes, policy reports and more. 
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