BUSDM Accredited with Flying Colors

BUSDM’s predoctoral and advanced education programs renewed their full approval with the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation after a rigorous site visit September 20-22. The school garnered 20 commendations for excellence across all areas of its mission (education, research, patient care, and community service). The commission had no recommendations for change.

A team of 19 experts from diverse areas of oral health care spent two-and-a-half days evaluating BUSDM’s educational programs, patient treatment centers, and research and community programs. Each dental school in the United States must undergo an accreditation site visit once every seven years. The process ensures the quality and continuous improvement of dental education while reflecting the evolving practice of dentistry.

“The excellence of the School of Dental Medicine elevates the university,” said Peter Robinson, DDS,PhD, dean of University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and chair of the committee that visited BUSDM. “This is as good as it gets.”

Nine of the 20 commendations involved the school’s extensive outcomes assessment program, which is used to measure activities ranging from education, patient care, research, and faculty development. The commission has a particular focus on outcomes assessment. As noted on its website, “Demonstrating that students have, indeed, learned what has been taught is part of what entitles institutions to the confidence of the educational community and the public.”

Also commended were the school’s facilities; the APEX (Applied Professional Experience) program, where students begin working in patient care centers during their first year; research programs; student services, including personal, academic, and career counselling; and financial management. The site visitors praised all postdoctoral programs, with some programs receiving more than one commendation.

The site visitors took special note of the dedication and loyalty of the school’s faculty and staff. “Our exceptional performance is a direct result of the quality and commitment of our community across all levels of the school,” says Spencer Frankl, DDS, MSD, dean of BUSDM. “I could not be prouder of the camraderie and teamwork everyone displayed to prepare for this most important event in the life of a dental school.”

Paula Friedman, DDS, MSD, associate dean for administration at BUSDM and chair of the school’s accreditation committee, praised her colleagues at the school for their hard work. “Many late nights were spent compiling literally thousands of pages in required reports,” she says. “This school is a very special place because of the many talented people willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. There could be no better tribute to the vision and leadership of Dean Frankl than the outcome of this accreditation site visit.”

The complete list of commendations is as follows:

  • Financial management
  • Facilities
  • Predoctoral Program
    • Quality assurance in the variety of methods used to evaluate patient care
    • Scope and breadth of the school’s research
    • Faculty evaluation and development
    • APEX
    • BUMP UP (BU MassHealth Upgrade Program)
    • Personal, academic, and career counselling of students
  • Advanced Education in General Dentistry
    • Outcomes assessment and program evaluation
    • Quality and dedication of the program director
  • Dental Public Health
    • Program resources
    • Director tracking of students using competencies and linking courses to competencies
  • Endodontics
    • Director and faculty dedication to program
    • Student and resident evaluation
  • Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
    • Leadership of the program director
  • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Assessment and program evaluation
  • Periodontology and Oral Biology
    • Evaluation and outcomes assessment
    • Faculty diversity
    • Resident research
  • Prosthodontics
    • Curriculum management

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