Dental Studies
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Third Party Comments – CODA Accreditation Review
The Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs at Pima Community College will undergo a comprehensive site visit by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on April 28-30, 2026.
In accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) and CODA requirements, the Commission invites third party comments regarding the program’s compliance with accreditation standards. Third party comments may be submitted by faculty, students, administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and members of the public.
Comments must:
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Relate only to CODA accreditation standards or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process.
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Links:
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Be submitted directly to CODA (not to the program)
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Be submitted no later than February 28, 2026
Comments may be signed or unsigned. All comments are screened by CODA for relevance. Names and/or signatures will be removed before comments are forwarded to the program. Third party comments should be emailed to the appropriate CODA staff member.
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Dental Hygiene--Kathleen Navickask, navickask@ada.org
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Dental Assisting--Jamie Asher Hernandez, asherhernandezj@ada.org
Kick-start your dental career at Pima with hands-on training in Dental Hygiene or Dental Assisting. Start with the Dental Assisting certificate and choose to begin working in the field or continue on to the Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree to advance your education.
Train in cutting-edge classrooms and labs, and get real experience working with patients in the West Campus Dental Clinic. As a Dental Hygiene student, you’ll train under licensed dental hygienists and dentists. If you are pursuing the Dental Assisting Certificate, you’ll study under Certified Dental Assistant faculty with expanded function certifications. The Dental Studies program is part of our technology-leading Health Professions Center of Excellence, preparing you for a rewarding career in dental care.
Completing our program prepares you for a career as either a dental assistant or dental hygienist. Depending on your certificate or degree, you may work in a variety of dental settings, including:
- private practices
- community clinics
- corporate/retail clinics
- hospital and long‑term care facilities
- academic and research
- industry and government + more
Get Noticed by Employers
The Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs are accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), ensuring you receive top-quality education that meets industry standards. Employers recognize CODA-accredited programs, giving you a competitive edge when starting your career.
Degrees & Certificates
Start your studies in either the Dental Hygiene or Dental Assisting programs, learning from dental professionals while using the latest technology and doing clinical work. Pima’s programs are designed to help you build your skills as you go. Start with foundational certificates and advance to higher-level certificates and a two-year degree, all while gaining the hands-on experience needed for in-demand careers.
