Dental Education (DDS/DMD) Standards

The Dental Education (DDS/DMD) Standards establish the requirements for accredited dental education programs leading to the DDS or DMD degree. They define expectations for program quality, curriculum, faculty, student achievement, patient care experiences, and institutional resources to ensure graduates are prepared for the practice of dentistry.

This page provides access to the standards, guidance, and related accreditation resources for dental education programs and other stakeholders.

Current Standards for Dental Education

• Predoctoral Dental Education Programs (PDF)

Adopted at the Summer 2026 CODA Meeting

July 1, 2028 Implementation Date

Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs

• Redlined 2028 Dental Education Standards (PDF)
• 2028 Dental Education Standards (PDF)

At the Summer 2026 CODA meeting, CODA adopted the new Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs, with an implementation date of July 1, 2028.

Programs scheduled for accreditation site visits between January 1, 2027, and July 1, 2028, may elect to be reviewed under either the current standards or the revised standards.

Following two public comment periods and more than 60 committee meetings, the Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs completed an extensive review and revision process, resulting in the newly adopted standards.

The updated Self-Study Guide reflecting the revised standards will be distributed this fall.

Find presentations, webinars, and other informational materials related to the upcoming revisions to the Dental Education (DDS/DMD) Standards.

• ADEA Academic Affairs Presentation (PDF)
• ADEA Dean’s Conference Presentation (PDF)