Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada

Accrediting dental education and services across Canada to ensure quality and excellence.

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CDAC Launches Public Consultation – Invitation to Provide Comments

Consultation Period: April 17 – July 16, 2026 (90 days)
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) invites all interested parties to participate in a 90-day public consultation on its Draft Accreditation Standards for Oral Healthcare Education Programs.

These draft standards are intended to replace the current accreditation standards for Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, and Dentistry programs, establishing a unified, outcomes-based framework for oral health education accreditation in Canada.

CDAC values the input of all interested parties and encourages detailed feedback to ensure the standards are clear, relevant, and implementable across all program types.

CDAC

Certification and Accreditation
of Dental Education and Residency Programs in Canada

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) accredits Canadian undergraduate programs in dentistry, dental specialty programs, dental residency, dental hygiene, and dental assisting education programs in Canada. CDAC also accredits dental services (internships and residency). In Quebec, dental services accredited by l’Ordre des dentistes du Québec (ODQ) are recognized by CDAC.

Students who graduate from an accredited program meet the academic requirements needed to become licensed with Canada’s various oral health regulators.

Accredited oral health programs bring multiple benefits for both students, regulators and the public:

  • Regular accreditation of programs fosters the continual improvement of education.
  • Accreditation ensures that programs are meeting the high standards necessary for licensure.
  • Accreditation is a formal recognition that an organization or institution meets specific standards and criteria set by a recognized accrediting body. It’s a process that ensures quality and competence in the services provided by the organization.
  • Accreditation helps build trust with patients, assures them of high-quality care, and promotes a culture of safety and professional development in oral health settings.

CDAC’s Commitment to Continuous Improvement in Oral Health Accreditation

CDAC takes pride in developing our own rigorous accreditation standards tailored to the unique needs of the oral health sector. Our standards are designed to ensure that students in accredited programs graduate as
competent professionals, ready to take on the duties of their chosen field.

By continually reviewing and updating these criteria, we ensure that accredited organizations are equipped to provide high quality education, fostering trust
and promoting the ongoing development of oral health practices.

Global Recognition

Dentistry Degrees from accredited programs are accepted by oral health regulators nationwide and are also recognized by our international partners in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.