Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) is responsible for establishing and maintaining the standards for dental hygiene education programs. CODA sets rigorous educational standards that programs must meet to be accredited, ensuring that graduates are adequately prepared to enter the workforce as competent dental hygienists. This accreditation process helps to ensure consistency and quality across dental hygiene education nationwide, which is critical for maintaining high standards of patient care in the dental field.

While organizations like the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) play vital roles in advocating for the profession and supporting dental hygienists, they do not set the specific educational standards for dental hygiene programs. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research primarily focuses on research rather than on educational accreditation. Therefore, CODA's role is essential for ensuring that dental hygiene programs meet the necessary criteria for training competent professionals in the field.