Notification of the opportunity to submit third party comments and to file complaints with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
Third party comments
The Portland Community College Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene credit programs will undergo an accreditation site visit by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on November 12-14, 2025. CODA is now accepting any third-party comments regarding the programs’ qualifications for accreditation and their adherence to CODA-assigned standards and policies. Comments must be sent to CODA at least 60 days before the site visit.
Portland Community College Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene third-party comments deadline is Saturday, September 13, 2025.
Comments should be sent via email to the appropriate CODA staff. Email addresses are available on the CODA website.
Guidelines for viewing the standards and submitting comments
Who can submit comments?
Communities of interest and the public such as faculty, students, program administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers can submit comments.
What types of comments are considered?
- For PCC’s Dental Assisting credit program, all comments must relate to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards for Dental Assisting and required accreditation policies.
- For PCC’s Dental Hygiene credit program, all comments must relate to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards for Dental Hygiene and required accreditation policies.
- A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy on third-party comments may also be obtained by contacting the Commission by calling 1-312-440-4653 or by email.
How can you submit a comment?
- The deadline to submit comments is Saturday, September 13, 2025, which is 60 days prior to the program’s accreditation site visit on November 12 – 14, 2025.
- You can submit a comment by calling CODA at 1-312-440-4653 or by emailing the appropriate Commission staff; comments should not be sent to the Commission office via the US Postal Service.
How are comments managed?
Signed or unsigned comments will be accepted by the Commission. All relevant comments will have names and/or signatures removed and will then be referred to the program at least 50 days prior to the site visit for review and response. Negative comments received after the established deadline of 60 days prior to the site visit will be handled as a complaint.
Complaints
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) will review complaints that relate to a program’s compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students.
What types of complaints are considered?
- All complaints must follow the Commission’s complaint guidelines and policy.
- For PCC’s Dental Assisting credit program, all complaints must relate to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards for Dental Assisting and required accreditation policies.
- For PCC’s Dental Hygiene credit program, all complaints must relate to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards for Dental Hygiene and required accreditation policies.
- A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy on complaints may also be obtained by contacting the Commission by calling 312-440-4653 or by email.
How can you submit a complaint?
A complaint can be submitted to the Commission by calling 312-440-4653 or by email. Written complaints can be addressed to:
Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611