Accreditation FAQ

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is a standards-based process that reviews Canadian dentistry programs, ensuring they possess the essential processes and meet the mandated elements consistent with quality in dental education. It is performed by The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry views accreditation as a critical component of ongoing quality improvement for all education programs at the School.

How often does accreditation take place?

Generally, accreditation takes place every seven years. However, CDAC reserves the right to reduce or extend the term of approval granted to a program in order to maintain the principle of an integrated survey, or as various conditions may warrant.

What is the current status of the Schulich Dentistry programs?

All Schulich Dentistry programs are accredited.

This includes the Graduate Orthodontics, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and the Internationally Trained Dentist (ITD) programs.

  • The Graduate Orthodontics Program status is Approved without reporting requirements; the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program status is Approved with reporting requirements; and the DDS Program and the ITD Program are Provisionally Approved with reporting requirements.

What is the difference between Approved with reporting requirements and Provisionally Approved with reporting requirements?

The difference is the length of the term for accreditation, length of time provided to report back to CDAC and the seriousness of the recommendations.

I heard that Schulich Dentistry is working on materials related to accreditation, what does this mean and include?

Yes, during the accreditation process and review, CDAC may identify areas that require attention. The CDAC then makes recommendations that the School must address. It also request updates and communication from the School. Schulich Dentistry is responding to CDAC recommendations and will report back in August 2019.

Leaders in Dentistry are working with the Dean, Provost, and a small team of staff to satisfy all the CDAC accreditation recommendations. This group is meeting regularly.

Information about the progress being made on accreditation recommendations has been shared in detail with students and a detailed presentation will be provided to faculty and staff. An overview of the accreditation process and results have been shared with faculty, staff and students.

What is the focus of the reporting recommendations for the DDS and ITD programs?

For the DDS and the ITD programs, the focus is primarily on faculty recruitment, reinforcing guidelines for clinical experiences, embedding calibration sessions as part of the curriculum, and continuing to implement the new patient management system. Additionally, there is a focus on enhancing communication between faculty and students, as well as building greater awareness about the services and contacts for Learner Equity & Wellness.

What investments have been made in Dentistry in the past few years?

Western University is committed to the success of Schulich Dentistry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. In the past few years, it has demonstrated this commitment in a number of ways and specifically through some financial investments in:

  • the development of a new Dentistry Simulation Laboratory used by preclinical dentistry students ($3.6M);
  • the acquisition of a new patient booking system ($1.2M);
  • the acquisition of a new digital imaging system ($400K).

It has also demonstrated this through the active recruitment of a number of faculty and a new Vice Dean and Director for the School.

Does the accreditation status in my program affect my graduation?

No, all Schulich Dentistry programs are accredited and there is no impact on your graduation.