Membership Information
The broad communities of interest, those affected by the Commission's accreditation activities, are represented on the Commission.
Members of the Commission are selected by the participating organizations; these selections are not subject to review by any other organization. There are 30 members on the Board of Commissioners. The Commission membership reflects a wide geographic distribution and includes both genders and under-represented ethnic groups.
Summary of CODA Representatives
| American Dental Association |
4 members |
| American Association of Dental Examiners |
4 members |
| American Dental Education Association |
4 members |
| Postdoctoral General Dentistry |
1 member |
| Recognized Dental Specialties (one each) |
9 member |
| American Dental Assistants Association |
1 member |
| American Dental Hygienists' Association |
1 member |
| National Association of Dental Laboratories |
1 member |
| General Public |
4 members |
| Students |
1 member |
TOTAL 30 members
As noted above, the participating organizations select their own representatives. The Commissioner representing postdoctoral general dentistry is jointly selected by the American Dental Education Association and the American Association of Hospital Dentists. The Commissioner representing students is jointly selected by the American Student Dental Association and the American Dental Education Association. All Commissioners serve one four-year term, except for the Student Commissioner who serves one two-year term.
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Establishment of the Commission
From 1938-1974, prior to the formation of the Commission, the American Dental Association's Council on Dental Education was recognized as the accrediting agency for dental and dental-related education programs. In 1972, the Council recognized the need to provide the communities of interest with more direct representation in accreditation decisions and policy issues. After considerable planning, the Commission on Dental Accreditation was formed.
The Commission, established in 1975, is nationally recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) to accredit dental and dental-related education programs conducted at the post secondary level. The Commission functions independently and autonomously in matters of developing and approving accreditation standards, making accreditation decisions on educational programs and developing and approving procedures that are used in the accreditation process. It is structured to include an appropriate representation of the communities of interest.
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Peer Review Process
The Commission uses an extensive list of consultants (or "peers") in its accreditation activities. Each year, all participating communities of interest nominate individuals to serve as consultants. Consultants serve as members of site visit teams. They may also serve as members of special committees and may assist the Commission in other activities. Actual appointments of consultants - selected from those persons nominated - are made annually by the Commission based on qualifications and current needs for program type and geographic representation. Return to Top
Member Biographical Information
Members of the Commission on Dental Accreditation are selected in accordance with the Rules of the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Dental Association.
Barrette, Bruce J., DDS, Peshtigo, Wisconsin was appointed by the American Association of Dental Examiners. Dr. Barrette is a general dentist in private practice in Peshtigo.
Casamassimo, Paul S. DDS, MS, Columbus, OH, was appointed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Casamassimo is professor and chair of pediatric dentistry at the Ohio State University and chief of dentistry at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH.
Crow, Heidi C., DMD, MS, Buffalo, New York was a joint appointment by the American Dental Education Association and the American Association of Hospital Dentists, representing postdoctoral general dentistry education programs. Dr. Crow is the Assistant Dean for Postdoctoral General Dentistry at University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
Dolan, Teresa A., DDS, MPH, Gainesville, Florida was appointed by the American Association of Public Health Dentistry. Dr. Dolan is the Dean of the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida.
Edgar, Bryan C., DDS, MAGD, Federal Way, Washington was appointed by the American Association of Dental Examiners. Dr. Edgar is a general dentist in private practice in Federal Way, Washington and has an Affiliate Faculty appointment to the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
Feldman, Cecile A., DMD, MBA, Newark, New Jersey was appointed by the American Dental Education Association. Dr. Feldman is the Dean of the New Jersey Dental School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Gann, Gary, CDT, New Port Richey, Florida was appointed by the National Association of Dental Laboratories. Mr. Gann is a dental laboratory owner in New Port Richey.
Griffin, Kathleen RDH, MEd, RF, Duluth, Minnesota was appointed by the American Dental Hygienists' Association. Ms. Griffin is the director of the dental hygiene program at Lake Superior College and is a dental hygienist in private practice.
Hutter, Jeffrey W., DMD, MEd, Boston, Massachusetts was appointed by the American Association of Endodontists. Dr. Hutter is the Senior Associate Dean, Professor and Herbert Schilder Chair in Endodontics at the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University.
Iacono, Vincent J., DMD, Stony Brook, New York was appointed by the American Academy of Periodontology. Dr. Iacono spends time at both the University Hospital of Stony Brook and teaching at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Joondeph, Donald R., DDS, MS, Seattle, Washington was appointed by the American Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Joondeph is Professor Emeritus of Orthodontics at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Kantor, Mel L., DDS, MPH, PhD, Newark, New Jersey was appointed by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. Dr. Kantor is a professor and acting chairman of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the New Jersey Dental School of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Kershenstein, Karen W., Ph.D., Fairfax Station, Virginia, is one of the four public members of the commission. She is a consultant in higher education accreditation and president of KWK Enterprises.
Koelbl, James J., DDS, MS, MJ, Pomona, California, was appointed by the American Dental Education Association. Dr. Koelbl is the Founding Dean of the College of Dental Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences.
Louis, Patrick J., DDS, M.D., Birmingham, Alabama was appointed by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Louis is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and Residency Program Director at the University Of Alabama School Of Dentistry at the University of Alabama Birmingham.
McPherron, Sharon, St. Louis, Missouri is one of four public members to the Commission. Ms. McPherron is a graduate of Purdue University with a BS and Washington University with a MAT. Ms. McPherron has an extensive background in higher education.
Nalley Jr., Logan, DMD, Augusta, Georgia was appointed by the American Association of Dental Examiners. Dr. Nalley is a Prosthodontist in private practice. Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics. He is currently serving on the Georgia Board of Dentistry. He is an examiner for the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) and a Consultant Examiner for the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB).
Nissen, Larry W., DDS, Merritt Island, Florida was appointed by the American Dental Association. Dr. Nissen is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in private practice.
Pelot, Reuben N., III, DDS, Knoxville, Tennessee was appointed by the American Dental Association. Dr Pelot is a General Dentist in private practice. He has served as attending faculty to the General Practice Residency Program at the University of Tennessee. He has also served on the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, and currently is an associate member of the Southern Regional Testing Agency.
Pickup, Jason D., Las Vegas, Nevada was appointed by the American Dental Education Association. Mr. Pickup is a third year dental student attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine
Reed, Michael J., PhD, Kansas City, Missouri was appointed by the American Dental Education Association. Dr. Reed is the dean of University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry.
Richter, Mary K., Mascoutah, Illinois is one of the four public members of the commission. She is also the founder and executive director of the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias.
Roberts, Matthew B., DDS, Crockett, Texas was appointed by the American Dental Association. He is a general dentist in private practice in Crockett, TX.
Smith, Richard D., DDS, Charleston, West Virginia was appointed by the American Association of Dental Examiners. Dr. Smith is a general dentist in private practice in Charleston, WV.
Sullivan, Diana, CDA, Rosemount, Minnesota was appointed by the American Dental Assistants Association. Ms. Sullivan is the Program Director of the Dental Assisting Program at Dakota County Technical College in Minnesota.
Tarver Jr., E. Les, DDS, Monroe, Louisiana was appointed by the American Dental Association. Dr. Tarver is a general dentist in private practice.
Thomalla, Kenneth C., CPA, CFU, CFP, Orland Park, Illinois. Mr. Thomalla is one of four public members of the commission. He is also the chief operating officer of Treloar and Heisel, Inc.
Turner, Sharon P., DDS, JD, Lexington, Kentucky was appointed by the American Dental Education Association. Dr. Turner has completed a post doctoral fellowship in Craniofacial Pain Mechanisms and Controls. She is Dean at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and remains an active general practitioner in the College’s intramural practice.
Woody, Ronald D., DDS, Dallas, Texas was appointed by the American College of Prosthodontists. Dr. Woody is a Professor and Program Director of Implant Dentistry at Baylor College of Dentistry the Texas A & M Health Science Center.
Wright, John M., DDS, MS, Dallas, Texas was appointed by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Dr. Wright is the Chair of Diagnostic Sciences at the Baylor College of Dentistry.
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