Mission and Structure

Mission

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) is dedicated to developing and improving dental, dental hygiene and dental assisting education in Canada to the best level possible.

CDAC reaffirms that, in conducting evaluation surveys, its primary purpose is to assist institutions and recommend methods and procedures that enable them to meet national accreditation requirements so as to improve the effectiveness of their education programs. To this end, CDAC encourages sound educational experimentation and innovation and considers these an integral part of its accrediting responsibility.

It is not CDAC's intention to impose a system of regimentation that would lead to the rigid standardization of programs in either of the specialties for which it provides accreditation.

CDAC and its committees meet once a year in November. Meeting deliberations about specific programs are strictly confidential and are given final approval at the CDAC level.

Structure

CDAC is comprised of 21 members who represent the following constituencies:

• One person nominated by the Canadian Dental Association,
   
• One person active in hospital and/or institutional dentistry nominated by the Canadian Dental Association,
   
• Two persons nominated by the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry, one of which would be a representative of the Committee of Deans,
   
• One dental hygiene educator nominated by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada,
   
• One dental assistant educator nominated by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada,
   
• One dental internship representative nominated by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada,
   
• Two persons nominated by the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulatory Authorities,
   
• Two persons nominated by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada,
   
• Two persons nominated by the Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation,
   
• One person nominated by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada,
   
• One person nominated by the Canadian Dental Assistants' Association,
   
• One person nominated by the Canadian Dental Hygienists' Association,
   
• One person nominated by the Canadian Dental Association in consultation with the presidents of the dental specialty sections,
   
• One layperson nominated by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada,
   
• One person nominated by the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board,
   
• One person nominated by the National Dental Assisting Examining Board, and
   
• One person nominated by the Dental Assistant Regulatory Authorities.
   

CDAC Sub-committees

There are 4 standing sub-committees of CDAC:

1. Dental Education Programs Committee (DDS/DMD, specialties and qualifying programs)
    
2. Dental Hygiene Education Programs Committee
    
3. Dental Assisting Education Programs Committee
    
4. Health Facilities Committee (health facility dental services and internship/residency education programs)
    

Each committee reviews the confidential accreditation survey reports, pre-survey reports and progress reports pertaining to that committee's mandate. Each committee then makes a recommendation on the program's accreditation status to CDAC.