The Commission on Dental Accreditation for the American Dental Association conducted a site visit recently at the School of Dental Hygiene in the College of Health Sciences at the Caruth Health Education Center and the results were excellent.
“The site visitors stated that they have never given such a short report with no recommendations or suggestions in their 15 years of site experience with the Commission on Dental Assistance (CODA),” said Rebecca Ludwig, Dean, College of Health Sciences. “It is truly an amazing and well-earned accolade for Joan Tonner (program director) and her faculty and staff.”
“All standards and criteria were met or exceeded, and the site visitors were extremely complimentary,” said Phil Nicotera, Provost, HEC. “We recognize the commitment, support and efforts of all involved.”
“The Commission on Dental Accreditation for the American Dental Association has a site visit once every seven years for the accreditation of the program,” Tonner said. “The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The current accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements remains until final review of the report by the Commission in July 2013.”
The team determines recommendations if specific standards are not being met, which the program has to address and report back to the Commission in order to remain accredited in a stated number of days, or they can determine that suggestions were made for changes that the program is not required to report to the Commission but should address before the next site visit.
There are six standards the team focused on:
- Institutional Effectiveness
- Educational Program
- Administration, Faculty and Staff
- Educational Support Services
- Health and Safety Provisions
- Patient Care Services
The Dental Hygiene Program students serve more than 2,500 patients at HEC Dental Hygiene Clinic and in total more than 3,000 patients through affiliations with the University of Florida at Seminole Campus, Johnnie Ruth Clarke Clinic, the Department of Health Public Health Units and Homeless Emergency Project extra mural rotations.
Leave a comment