CODA | Commission on Dental Accreditation CODA The Commission on Dental Accreditation accredits dental, advanced dental and allied dental education programs. About CODA The Commission on Dental Accreditation serves 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 on Dental Accreditation accredits dental and dental-related education programs including advanced dental education programs and allied dental education programs in the United States. The Commission functions independently and autonomously in matters of developing and approving accreditation standards, making accreditation decisions on educational programs and developing and approving procedures that are used in the accreditation process. It is structured to include an appropriate representation of the communities of interest. Learn more about our work Find a Program Learn about the types of programs accredited by CODA and search for a program. CODA E-Portal Submit applications, self-study and/or large reports via this online Portal. CODA Communicator Stay informed on the activities of the Commission through CODA’s newsletter. News and Resources for CODA Recent Updates CODA Suspends Diversity Standards On August 8, 2025, during Open Session, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) reviewed a memorandum released by the Office of the Attorney General of the United States of America dated July 29, 2025. In response to the memorandum, CODA directed that the Accreditation Standards for all disciplines related to diversity of faculty, staff, and students be suspended indefinitely. These Standards, available at LINK , are the following: Predoctoral Dental Education Standards 1-4 and 4-4; Dental Therapy Standards 1-4 and 4-2; and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Standard 1-11. CODA further directed the amendment of the intent statements and examples of evidence of the following Standards related to diversity of faculty, staff, and students, available at LINK ,: Predoctoral Dental Standard 1-3; Dental Hygiene Standard 1-2; Dental Therapy Standard 1-3; and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Standard 2-1.7. Note that these Standards’ “must” statements remain in effect. CODA further directed that, during the period of suspension, CODA will take no action in whole or in part based on any suspended Standard, or portion thereof, including but not limited to review during a program’s site visit, consideration of complaints, and revision of Standards. Additionally, the Commission directed that a communication be issued to educational programs and site visitors to inform these communities of the suspensions described above. This communication will also be posted on CODA’s website. CODA further directed that a program's self-study and the site visit report may include the following statement for each standard that has been suspended: “On August 8, 2025, the Commission on Dental Accreditation directed that Accreditation Standards related to diversity of faculty, staff, and students be suspended indefinitely”. If a program previously submitted a self-study in connection with an upcoming site visit and wishes to amend such materials in response to this CODA action, the program may do so, but resubmission is not required. Programs are asked to contact the appropriate CODA staff if they wish to resubmit the self-study, and will also be referred to the paragraph above regarding language that may be added to self-studies and site visit reports as applicable. Please contact the appropriate CODA staff with any questions or comments. Visit the Staff Directory for contact information. View Impacted Standards (PDF) CODA Publishes Survey Data on Dental Assisting Program Closures and Discontinuance of Accreditation At its January 31, 2025 meeting, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) reviewed the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Dental Assisting Program Closures and Discontinuance of Accreditation.  The Commission directed the survey results collected from dental assisting programs, and state dental associations and dental boards on dental assisting program closures, be circulated to CODA’s communities of interest for informational purposes. The report and survey data are available below. View the Ad Hoc Committee Report and Survey Data (PDF) Accreditation Resources Accreditation is consumer protection for prospective students. Graduation from an accredited program is mainly stipulated by state law and is an eligibility requirement for licensure and/or certification examinations. CODA Resources CODA developed a new pamphlet in direct response to growing concerns about the closure of dental assisting and dental laboratory technology programs and the future of accreditation. Pamphlet (PDF) Infographic (PDF) Other Resources U.S. Department of Education Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors Council for Higher Education Accreditation CODA Communicator Newsletter Read the latest news from CODA. Winter Spring 2025 (PDF) Annual Reports CODA publishes an Annual Report for communities of interest, summarizing activities for the year. The report contains data associated with accredited programs, highlights of CODA activities during the report year, accreditation actions, standards revisions and more. 2025 Annual Report (PDF) 2024 Annual Report (PDF) 2023 Annual Report (PDF) Post Meeting Actions Review the unofficial major actions and highlights from the Commission on Dental Accreditation meetings.