Call for Working Group Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Supporting the Modernization of Accreditation Standards for Oral Health Education 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). CDAC is committed to promoting excellence in oral health care education and ensuring that accredited programs provide students with the foundation they need to succeed in their oral health career in Canada.

CDAC invites expressions of interest from qualified Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to participate in working groups that will assist the Standards Committee in developing new outcome-based accreditation standards. These standards, structured around six core domains, will guide the curricula of dental hygiene, dental assisting, and dentistry education programs. This initiative supports CDAC’s commitment to high-quality, equitable, and competency-focused education aligned with national expectations and dental practice needs.

Scope of Work

Working group members will contribute to CDAC standards development process by:

1. Providing expert review of and input into the proposed domain-specific standards.
2. Assisting to refine the domain’s outcome requirements, evaluation criteria, and performance indicators.
3. Participating in weekly 90 minutes (1 ½ hour) meetings (4–6 virtual meetings) from October 13 to December 05, 2025.
4. Contributing to final drafting and preparation for consultation activities.

Working Group Opportunities Available Across Six Domains

1. Public Safety and Risk Management
   Public health, patient and cultural safety protocols, legal and ethical obligations, risk identification and mitigation.

2. Academic Governance and Quality Assurance
   Institutional oversight, continuous improvement processes, stakeholder involvement, and academic integrity.

3. Program Design, Delivery, and Resources
   Curriculum structure, instructional strategies, workforce relevance, resource adequacy, and faculty calibration.

4. Student Learning Experience and Support
   Admissions, student services, academic advising, equitable access, wellness supports, and inclusive learning environments.

5. Assessment for Readiness and Professional Practice
   Competency-based assessments, progression, licensure preparation, fairness, validity, and remediation.

6. Cultural Safety and Community-Centered Care
   Community partnerships, equity, cultural humility, social accountability, reconciliation and advocacy in care delivery.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome participants with expertise in the domains above and specifically the following:

1. Oral health education and accreditation experts with experience in clinical, academic or regulatory outcomes-based curriculum design.
2. Profession-specific representation in dentistry, dental hygiene and dental assisting with education or program accreditation and evaluation leadership experience.
3. Regulatory compliance to ensure alignment with licensure and public protection.
4. Public health, ethics, and regulatory frameworks.
5. Equity, diversity, and inclusion in health professions and community engagement.

Note: CDAC goal is to have a regulator and a representative from each profession – Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, and Dental Assisting as part of the composition of each working group.

Application Process

Interested individuals must submit:

1. Name, title, and affiliation
2. Preferred domain(s) of interest
3. Brief statement of interest explaining how your experience is suitable for this working group (max 200 words)
4. Current resume

Deadline and Contact

Submit your application by Friday, 03 October 2025 to [email protected]

For more information, please contact:

Name: Ester Williams, Manager of Standards Development
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 613-801-9405
Website: http://www.cdac-cadc.ca/

WORKING GROUP MEMBER EVALUATION CRITERIA AND SELECTION PROCESS

1. Overview
   This selection process is designed to identify and appoint subject matter experts (SMEs) from across Canada to participate in the working groups that will support the development of CDAC’s modernized outcomes-based accreditation standards. Selection will prioritize expertise, diversity, and alignment with the core domains.

2. Eligibility Criteria
   Applicants must meet at least one / a combination of the following:

• • Hold a minimum of 2 years current or recent experience in oral health education or accreditation.
  • Be a practicing or licensed professional in dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting.
  • Have experience in curriculum design, regulation, public health, risk management, or equity and inclusion.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with competency-based education and/or outcomes-based frameworks.
  • Inclusion of regulatory professionals and interprofessional stakeholders.
  • Individuals with lived experience in equity-deserving groups or communities.

3. Evaluation Criteria and Weighting
   A small Selection Panel comprised of CDAC staff, Standards Committee representative, and one external reviewer will review applications. The table below will be used as part of the evaluation process.