Invitation for Third Party Comments

Big Sandy Community and Technical College Dental Hygiene Program will undergo an accreditation site visit by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on October 26-28, 2022.

The United States Department of Education (USDE) procedures require accrediting agencies provide an opportunity for third-party comment, either in writing or at a public hearing (at the accrediting agencies' discretion) with respect to institutions or programs scheduled for review.

Third party comments are invited from the public and the following communities of interest: faculty, students, program administrators, specialty and dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers.  Comments must pertain only to the standards for the Dental Hygiene Program or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process. A copy of the Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs and/or the Commission's policy on third party comments may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1/800-621-8099, extension 4653.  Public Comments must be received August 26, 2022, sixty (60) days prior to the visit.

Comments will be screened by the commission staff for relevancy.  For comments not relevant to these issues, the individual will be notified that the comment is not related to accreditation and, where appropriate referred to the appropriate agency.  All relevant comments will have names and/or signatures removed and be referred to the program at least fifty (50) days prior to the site visit for review and response.  A written response from the program should be provided to the Commission office and the visiting committee fifteen (15) days prior to the site visit.  Negative comments received after the established deadline of sixty (60) days prior to the site visit will be handled as a complaint.