CODA and dental education
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), part of the American Dental Association, is the national programmatic accreditor for dental and dental-related education — more than 1,400 programs. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Predoctoral (DDS/DMD)The professional dental degree — the two are equivalent, just named differently by school.
- Advanced / specialty programsResidencies in orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, and more.
- Allied dental programsDental hygiene, dental assisting, and dental laboratory technology.
CODA accreditation and dental licensure
Specialties and allied dental
Dental specialties require a CODA-accredited advanced-education (residency) program on top of the DDS/DMD. On the allied side, dental hygienists and dental assistants typically need a CODA-accredited program to sit for their respective board exams and be licensed or certified — so CODA matters across the whole dental team, not just dentists.
Foreign-trained dentists
Internationally trained dentists usually complete an advanced-standing program at a CODA-accredited U.S. dental school to meet the domestic education requirement, and CODA also runs an international consultation-and-accreditation process that some state boards recognize for foreign schools.
Verify a dental program
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
- Who accredits dental schools? The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), part of the American Dental Association, which accredits predoctoral (DDS/DMD), advanced/specialty, and allied dental programs. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Do I need a CODA-accredited program to become a dentist? Yes. A DDS or DMD from a CODA-accredited program is required for licensure in every state, and it makes you eligible for the INBDE licensing exam.
- What is the INBDE? The Integrated National Board Dental Examination, the national written exam required for dental licensure, which replaced the NBDE Parts I and II in 2020.
- Are DDS and DMD different? No. They are equivalent degrees; schools simply use one name or the other. Both come from CODA-accredited programs and lead to the same licensure.
- Does CODA accredit dental hygiene and assisting programs? Yes. Dental hygiene, dental assisting, and dental laboratory technology programs are CODA-accredited, and accreditation matters for their board exams and licensure/certification.
- How do internationally trained dentists get licensed? Usually by completing an advanced-standing program at a CODA-accredited U.S. dental school; some boards also recognize CODA's international accreditation of foreign schools.
- Is CODA recognized by CHEA? CODA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Its focus is federal recognition and licensure eligibility.
- How do I verify a dental program's accreditation? Search the program in CODA's find-a-program directory and confirm licensure steps with your state dental board.