Appointments Open to Program Directors
ADEA welcomes the nominations of advanced and allied dental education program directors for appointments to the following advisory groups and external organizations. Information about each appointment, including qualifications and time commitments, is provided. Unless otherwise indicated, one nominee will be appointed to each position. |
Position Type: Appointment—requires ADEA Board of Directors approval at its January meeting.
Description: The ADEA Advisory Committee for Innovation, Clinical Education and Public Health (ACICEPH) provides strategic guidance and expert advice to the ADEA Board of Directors and ADEA staff on oral health matters related to current and future areas of innovation approaches to clinical education and public health. The Committee considers three areas—vision, policy, and programming—and related resources, all of which contribute to ADEA’s overall mission. ACICEPH also supports ADEA in advancing its goals of fostering new thinking, enhancing oral health clinical education and promoting public health perspectives that will drive policy, initiatives and approaches that support the future of oral health education.
Who Is Eligible:
- Administrators: senior administrators
- Deans
- Faculty/staff: bioinformatics, technology and health informatics
- Program directors
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- Expertise in innovation, clinical education, and public health with experience in the following areas:
- Health care innovation, medical technology
- Clinical education, curriculum development
- Public health policy, community health initiatives
- Allied dental education
- Clinical education, chair-side technologies
Time Commitment:
Preparation plus quarterly meetings (in-person and virtual), including a September in-person meeting.
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
Three-year term starting March 2026, with possibility of reappointment for up to three additional years.
ADEA Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (ADEA CAAPID®) Advisory Group
Position Type: Appointment—requires ADEA Board of Directors approval at its January meeting.
Position Description: The ADEA CAAPID® (ADEA Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists) Advisory Group supports ADEA staff in reviewing and revising questions in the application, suggesting changes for data in WebAdMIT, and other essential items related to the application service. Advisory Group members review enhancements annually for implementation and discuss resources to help both programs and applicants.
Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Faculty or staff at an ADEA CAAPID participating program.
Who is eligible to apply for consideration:
- Advanced standing program directors.
- Staff responsible for coordinating admissions.
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
Time commitment:
- Two meeting days per year (occurring at the ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition and the ADEA Fall Meetings).
- Bi-monthly Advisory Group meetings (virtual, one hour each).
- Quarterly ADEA CAAPID Town Hall meetings (virtual).
Length of term: Three years
Term start date: March 2026
ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (ADEA DHCAS®) Advisory Group
Position Type: Appointment—requires ADEA Board of Directors approval at its January meeting.
Description: The ADEA DHCAS (ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service) Advisory Group supports ADEA staff in reviewing and revising questions in the application, suggesting changes for data in WebAdMIT, and other essential items related to the application service. Advisory Group members review enhancements annually for implementation and discuss resources to help both programs and applicants.
Who Is Eligible:
- Admissions (responsible for coordinating admissions)
- Faculty/staff
- Program directors
- Dental hygiene students
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- Program directors, program faculty, or admission officers from programs participating in ADEA DHCAS.
- Students currently enrolled in a dental hygiene education program who have completed the ADEA DHCAS application.
Time Commitment:
Up to one meeting day per year, plus preparation. Up to four conference calls per year, plus preparation.
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- Three-year term starting in 2026.
- Students: One-year term starting in 2026 and renewable up to three years.
ADEA GoDental® Advisory Group
Position Type: Appointment—requires ADEA Board of Directors approval at its January meeting.
Description: The ADEA GoDental Advisory Group develops ideas and provides support for all ADEA GoDental initiatives. Members discuss key concepts for improving the ADEA GoDental website, including content management, social networking themes and membership services. The Advisory Group provides ADEA GoDental with strategic direction on how to better serve students interested in dentistry. Members also analyze blogs, videos and forum topics to determine the effectiveness of ADEA GoDental content.
Who Is Eligible:
- Admissions
- Program directors
- Students: Current first- or second-year dental students; current dental hygiene students
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
Time Commitment:
One in-person meeting each year during the ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition. Up to two teleconferences per year.
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- Three-year term starting in March 2026
- Students: Two-year term starting in March 2026
ADEA Legislative Advisory Committee (ADEA LAC)
Position Type: Appointment—requires ADEA Board of Directors approval at its January meeting.
Description: The ADEA Legislative Advisory Committee (ADEA LAC) provides advice and counsel to the ADEA Board on public policy and legislative priorities pertaining to academic dentistry. The ADEA LAC reviews legislative initiatives, rules and regulations and policies that address dental education, dental and craniofacial research, and access to oral health care.
Who Is Eligible:
- Administrators
- Admissions
- Deans
- Faculty/staff
- Program directors
- Students
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- Demonstrated involvement with state dental and oral health advocacy coalitions, including state dental associations and outreach groups.
- Skilled leaders with knowledge of and experience in the legislative and political process at the federal, state, and/or regional levels.
Time Commitment:
- Two meetings per year (one at the ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition and one at the ADEA headquarters).
- Periodic conference calls as needed.
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- Three-year term starting in March 2026, one year renewable.
ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS)
Position Type: Appointment—requires ADEA Board of Directors approval at its January meeting.
Description: The ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS) Advisory Group is charged to support ADEA Educational Pathways staff in reviewing and revising data elements, data manipulation, reports formats, information transmittal protocols, and the essential items related to the application service. Additionally, the Advisory Group serves as a liaison between dental school admissions officers, program directors, ADEA Educational Pathways staff to address various issues and concerns and to suggest improvements in the application process.
Recommendation letters are required for all applicants except Deans and Program Directors. Request a letter as soon as possible from your Dean or Program Director—this step often takes the most time.
Who Is Eligible:
- Administrators
- Admissions
- Deans
- Faculty/staff
- Program directors
- Students, residents and fellows
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- Program director, program faculty or admissions personnel.
- Participates in ADEA PASS.
- Associated with an ADEA Member Institution.
- Current dental residents and fellows who have completed the PASS application.
Time Commitment:
One in-person meeting day per year (occurring at the ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition) plus periodic virtual meetings throughout the year.
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- Three-year term starting in March 2026
- Students: One-year term starting in March 2026, renewable
ADEA Policy and Research Advisory Committee (ADEA PRAC)
Position Type: Appointment—requires ADEA Board of Directors approval at its January meeting.
Description: The ADEA Policy and Research Advisory Committee (PRAC) provides insight and perspective to ADEA on current and emerging issues in dental education. This insight helps ensure ADEA’s educational research agenda is aligned with topics that are important to our members. The ADEA PRAC also helps inform ADEA’s annual education-related survey activities and related policy research to make certain that the information collected by ADEA is timely and informative.
Who Is Eligible:
- Administrators: senior administrators
- Deans
- Faculty/staff
- Program directors
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- Leadership positions in dental education (program level, school level).
- Expertise in developing policies for a dental education program and/or dental school.
- The committee seeks to balance participants among predoctoral, advanced and allied dental education.
Time Commitment:
Preparation plus three meeting days per year, including an in-person September meeting at the ADEA headquarters.
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- Three-year term starting in March 2026
ADEA Student Financial Assistance Advisory Committee (ADEA SFAAC)
Position Type: Appointment—requires ADEA Board of Directors approval at its January meeting.
Description: The ADEA Student Financial Assistance Advisory Committee (ADEA SFAAC) is an advisory committee to the ADEA BOD providing recommendations to ADEA with the development of resources and initiatives for providing the most current, relevant, and high quality information and resources available to ADEA member constituents, including deans, program directors, financial aid administrators, students, residents, fellows, dental school alumni and university administrators regarding student financial aid, student loan, and educational debt management related matters as they pertain to the effective administration of student financial aid, including campus-based, state and federal programs (including Title IV and Title VII), and the effective counseling provided to applicants, students and alumni regarding responsible borrowing and repayment.
Who Is Eligible:
- Admissions
- Administrators: Financial aid directors/administrators
- Faculty/staff: dental school financial aid community
- Deans: dental school deans
- Program directors
- Students: Currently enrolled students, residents and fellows who are able to serve a one-year term beginning in September
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- Individuals currently employed in a position where they are providing financial aid services to the dental student population.
- Must be either a dental school dean, a representative of the academic, allied or advance dental education community engaged in the provision of financial aid.
- Currently enrolled students, residents and fellows.
Time Commitment:
- One meeting per year and two conference calls.
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- Three-year term starting in March 2026
- Students: One-year term starting in September 2026
Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL)
Position Type: Appointment—requires approval by the ADEA House of Delegates in March.
Description: Council members participate in Council and Committee meetings, review reports concerning policy regarding dental, advanced dental and allied dental education issues, as well as continuing dental education, career guidance matters, specialty and general dentistry, dental sedation and general anesthesia and licensure- related topics.
Who Is Eligible:
- Administrators
- Deans
- Faculty/staff: academic deans, department chairs, senior faculty
- Program directors
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- All applicants must be current ADA members.
- Significant experience in academic dentistry.
- Past volunteer leadership position in ADEA (i.e., service on a council).
- Recommendation from dean of home institution required for consideration.
Time Commitment:
Attendance at Council and committee meetings, reading reports and preparation for meetings
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- Four-year term starting at the close of the next ADA Annual Session.
Commission on Dental Accreditation Appeal Board*
Position Type: Appointment—requires approval by the ADEA House of Delegates in March.
Description: The Appeal Board shall hear and decide appeals filed by predoctoral, advanced dental education and allied dental education programs from decisions rendered by the Board of Commissioners of the Commission denying or revoking accreditation. Appeal Board hearings are scheduled at the request of administrators of programs following denial or withdrawal of accreditation by the Commission. Such hearings are conducted within 60 days of the summer and winter meetings of the Commission. Please make it clear to the appointee that he/she will be called upon to serve in this capacity only if a request for a hearing with the Appeal Board is received from an educational program.
Who Is Eligible:
- Deans
- Faculty/staff
- Program directors
- Dentist or allied dental professional
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- All applicants must be current ADA members.
In accordance with the Commission’s policy, selection criteria for Appeal Board Members are listed below:
The Appeal Board member shall not be:
- A current member of a dental or allied dental faculty.*
- An employee, member of the governing board, owner, shareholder of, or independent consultant to a program that either is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or has applied for initial accreditation or is not accredited.*
- A spouse/partner, parent, child, or sibling of an individual identified above.
- A current member of the Commission.
- An individual who has participated in any step of the process leading up to the decision that is being appealed (e.g., member of the visiting committee, member of Review Committee, etc.).
*Discipline-specific representatives from allied or advanced dental education areas and an ADEA representative can be a program director, faculty member or practitioner.
The Appeal Board member shall:
- Be willing to participate as a member of the appellate body, should it be convened.
- Be willing to comply with all Commission policies and procedures (e.g., Agreement of Confidentiality; Conflict of Interest Policy; and Professional Conduct Policy and Prohibition Against Harassment).
- Be a member of the American Dental Association (ADA) in good standing.
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- A four-year term beginning at the 2026 ADA Annual Meeting in October and ending in 2030.
Commission on Dental Accreditation Review Committee on Postdoctoral General Dentistry Education (AEGD)
Position Type: Appointment—requires approval by the ADEA House of Delegates in March.
Description: Review Committee members are responsible for the review of all policy matters, site visit reports, progress reports, applications for accreditation and special reports on accredited programs related to their particular discipline. The review committee’s comments and recommendations on policy matters and accreditation status are included in a report, which is submitted to the Commission for final action. Review committee members may be requested to serve as site visitors for the Commission and to participate in ad hoc committee assignments.
Who Is Eligible:
- Administrators
- Deans: AEGD deans
- Faculty/staff: AEGD senior faculty
- Program directors: AEGD program directors
- Practitioner or allied dental professional
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- All applicants must be current ADA members.
The following criteria are requirements for nominating members to serve on the Review Committees.
All Nominees:
- Ability to commit to one four-year term.
- Be a member of the American Dental Education Association for nomination by ADEA.
- Willingness to commit 10-20 days per year to Review Committee activities, including training, comprehensive review of print and electronically delivered materials and travel to Commission headquarters.
- Ability to evaluate an educational program objectively in terms of such broad areas as curriculum, faculty, facilities, student evaluation and outcomes assessment.
- Willingness to comply with all Commission policies and procedures (e.g. Agreement of Confidentiality; Conflict of Interest Policy; Operational Guidelines; Simultaneous Service; HIPAA Training, Licensure Attestation, and Professional Conduct Policy and Prohibition Against Harassment).
- Ability to conduct business through electronic means (email, Commission websites).
Educator Nominees:
- Commitment to predoctoral, advanced, and/or allied dental education.
- Active involvement in an accredited predoctoral, advanced, or allied dental education program as a full- or part-time faculty member.
- Subject matter experts with formal education and credentialed in the applicable discipline.
- Prior or current experience as a Commission site visitor is preferred.
Practitioner Nominees:
- Commitment to predoctoral, advanced, and/or allied dental education.
- Majority of current work effort as a practitioner.
- Formal education and credentials in the applicable discipline.
Higher Education Administrator Nominees:
A commitment to bring the higher education administrator perspective to the Review Committee deliberations. In order to serve, the nominee must not be a:
- Member of any trade association, licensing/regulatory agency or membership organization related to, affiliated with or associated with the Commission; and
- Spouse, parent, child or sibling of an individual identified above.
Time Commitment:
Review committee members will be required to make a significant time commitment. They are required to complete the Commission’s Web-based Site Visitor Training Program prior to serving on the committee. The self-paced instructional manual on the Commission’s policies, procedures and Standards takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to complete.
The appointee will also be required to attend a Review Committee/Commissioner Training Program in December 2026.
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- Four-year term beginning at the 2026 ADA Annual Meeting and ending at the 2030 ADA Annual Meeting.
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)
Position Type: Appointment—requires approval by the ADEA House of Delegates in March.
Description: Commission members serve the purpose of the Joint Commission:
- To provide and conduct examinations for all purposes, including assisting state boards of dentistry and dental examiners in exercising their authority to determine qualifications of dentists and other oral health care professionals seeking certification and/or licensure to practice in any state or other jurisdiction of the United States.
- To make rules and regulations for the conduct of examinations and the certification of successful candidates.
- To serve as a resource for dentists and oral health care professionals concerning the development of examinations.
- To provide a means for a candidate to appeal an adverse decision of the Commission.
Who Is Eligible:
- Deans
- Faculty/staff: Academic deans, department chairs, senior faculty
Eligibility Criteria:
- All applicants must be affiliated with an ADEA Member Institution and have active individual ADEA memberships.
- All applicants must be current ADA members.
- Significant experience and leadership in oral health education. Knowledge of licensure processes, examination development and policy.
Time Commitment:
Attendance at annual meeting and committees, reading reports and preparation for meetings
Length of Service and Term Start Date:
- Four-year term starting at the close of the next ADA Annual Session.
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