It's agreed: Consultation, accreditation services will be offered to international dental schools
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Posted Nov. 7, 2005 |
By Karen Fox Philadelphia—In agreement with the ADA Board of Trustees and the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the House of Delegates last month approved the initiative to offer consultation and accreditation services to international dental schools.
"We want to have one standard of care in this country, and not have individual states accrediting international dental schools," ADA President Bob Brandjord said after the House passed Resolution 39H-2005.
"But any graduate of an international dental education program will still have to pass the National Board Dental Examination and a clinical licensure examination as well as any other state requirement in order to practice in this country," he emphasized.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation initiative gained the Board's support earlier this year after several states had adopted measures to approve international dental education programs on their own—most often citing a need to address access to care issues.
"We were very pleased with the outcome from the House of Delegates," said Dr. Morris Robbins, chair, Commission on Dental Accreditation. "We feel that this will provide the quality educational system not only nationally but now internationally that the public deserves and the dental community has long supported."
"The ADA is taking this action very seriously by creating a standing committee that ensures the Association has input in this process," added Dr. Brandjord.
Res. 39H calls for the ADA and Commission to establish the standing, joint advisory committee to guide the Commission in the selection, development and implementation of an international consultation and accreditation program for dental education.
The advisory committee—not yet appointed—will include two representatives from the Commission and three representatives from the ADA, with one of those representatives from the Board of Trustees as chair and two at-large members from the practicing community appointed by the president. The terms of the ADA representatives' offices will be staggered three-year terms, and they are eligible for one additional term of appointment.
Res. 39H also requires the advisory committee in conjunction with the Commission to report annually on the progress of international activities to the House of Delegates.
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