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 Appendices 1 through 4 be distributed to the communities of interest for review and comment, with comments due December 1, 2024.  Comments for Appendix 1 will be considered at future meetings of the Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs.  Comments for Appendices 2 through 4 will be considered at the Winter 2025 Commission meeting.  

Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs (Appendix 01) 
Comment Portal for the above Standards

Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (Appendix 02)
Comment Portal for the above Standards

Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in General Practice Residency (Appendix 03)
Comment Portal for the above Standards

Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs (Appendix 04)
Comment Portal for the above Standards 

At its Summer 2024 meeting, the Commission on Dental Accreditation directed that proposed revisions to Accreditation Standards found in Appendix 5 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 05)
Comment Portal for the above Standards 

View more details on upcoming hearings and deadlines for comments.  

 

On August 9, 2024, the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Dental Assisting Education Programs, related to Standard 4-8g (lead apron and cervical collar), with immediate implementation. 

• Dental Assisting Standards (PDF)

On August 9, 2024, the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Endodontics, related to Standard 2-1 (program director full-time status), with immediate implementation. 

• Endodontics Standards (PDF)

On August 9, 2024, the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, following a validity and reliability study, with immediate implementation. 

• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (PDF)

On August 9, 2024, the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Oral Medicine, following a validity and reliability study, with immediate implementation. 

• Oral Medicine Standards (PDF)

On August 9, 2024, the Commission adopted Accreditation Standards for all advanced dental education programs, related to the Definition of Terms for Health Care Organization and to chartering and licensure to operate, with an implementation date of January 1, 2025. 

• To be posted as available, Contact CODA Office 
• Revision for All Disciplines – Definition of Terms (PDF)
• Revision for General Practice Residency and Dental Anesthesiology (PDF)
• Revision for Advanced Education in General Dentistry, Oral Medicine, and Orofacial Pain (PDF)
• Revision for Dental Public Health (PDF)
• Revision for Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics (PDF)
• Clinical Fellowship Training Programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (PDF)
• Clinical Fellowship Training Programs in Craniofacial and Special Care Orthodontics (PDF)

On August 9, 2024, the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (residency), related to multiple standards, with an implementation date of July 1, 2025. 

• To be posted as available, Contact CODA Office

On February 1, 2024, the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Dental Public Health, with implementation July 1, 2025.

• 2025 Dental Public Health Standards (PDF)

On February 1, 2024, the Commission adopted the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Pediatric Dentistry, with implementation January 1, 2025.

• 2025 Pediatric Dentistry Standards (PDF)