New Site Visitor Training

Newly appointed site visitors must complete the CODA Site Visitor Training Program.

A Letter from Dr. Frank Licari, CODA Chair (2024-2025)

Congratulations on your appointment to serve as Site Visitor to the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

The mission of the Commission is to “serve the public and dental professions by developing and implementing accreditation standards that promote and monitor the continuous quality and improvement of dental education programs.”

The Commission will rely on your expertise as a dental educator and/or practitioner to ensure the continued success of our mission. You will assist with the evaluation of dental or dental-related education programs.

As one of the approximately 550 individuals who play a vital role in this accreditation process, your first assignment is to complete the Commission's Site Visitor Training Program. The Commission has a very strong commitment to site visitor training and requires all program evaluators to complete training prior to participating as a site visitor. First, you must complete this web-based training program – including the self-assessment located in Unit 7. Second, you will attend a formal training workshop at ADA Headquarters. If you cannot attend the workshop, you will attend a site visit as a trainee, accompanied by Commission staff and/or very experienced site visitors.

After initial training is complete, ongoing training and communications are provided via several methods. "Consultant Update" sessions are offered at national dental-related meetings. Recent activities and news items are posted periodically on the Commission's website. Links to other accreditation-related websites are also provided for your reference.

The Commission is very proud of its approach to site visitor training and considers this site to be a "work in progress." Improvements and expansions to the site are ongoing. If you have recommendations on how the site might be enhanced, please communicate your ideas to Commission staff at any time.

I hope you enjoy your tenure with the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The dental profession is most appreciative of your willingness to commit your time and talent to this important endeavor. We all have the responsibility of ensuring that quality dental education opportunities are available to the public. I am sure that you will find the work to be challenging, enlightening and fulfilling.

Thank you,

Dr. Frank Licari 
Chair, Commission on Dental Accreditation (2024-2025)

New Site Visitor Training FAQ

When will I get my first site visit assignment? What is the process to get assigned to a site visit?

Your term as a CODA site visitor will begin in March of the year you were appointed. CODA staff will contact you to establish your availability to participate on a site visit. Assignments are made based upon regional considerations, equity in distribution of assignments, review of conflict of interest, and site visit team composition requirements.

When can I book my travel arrangements?

Once you have been assigned a site visit, the Commission office will provide a series of communications that include site visit travel and planning logistics. It is important that you wait to make your travel reservations until you have received the communications from the Commission office and reviewed the final site visit schedule with the other team members. Required visits to additional off-campus sites may alter the site visit schedule and your travel plans.

When will I get information to prepare for a site visit?

The self-study document will be uploaded to CODA’s Portal by the program approximately 60 days prior to the site visit. If you do not receive access to the self-study in this time frame, contact Commission staff. Logistical e-mailings will also be sent to you from the Commission office approximately 60 days prior to the site visit.

Who will book my travel arrangements for the site visit I attend?

The Commission staff will send you the booking guidelines for airline reservations. All airline reservations must be booked through the Commission’s travel service, Fox Travel. Commission staff will also forward to you the confirmation number of the hotel reservation, which will be booked for you by the CODA office.

When should I plan to arrive and depart from the site visit?

Site visitors should plan to arrive the evening prior to the first day of the site visit in enough time to attend a team executive session meeting. Please plan to depart after the final conference as scheduled on the site visit schedule. Allow sufficient time for travel to the airport when booking your return flight.

Can I engage in social activities with the faculty and/or students/residents at the institution I am visiting?

No, site visitors must not engage in social activities with any institutional personnel or students/residents/fellows before, during, or after the site visit. Site visitors may also not accept gifts from the program.

What is the CODA policy for travel expenses?