CODA Grants Initial Accreditation to First Private Dental School in Puerto Rico

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Dental Medicine (PHSU SDM) announced that its Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree program has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). With the initial accreditation granted, PHSU SDM will welcome its first incoming class in August 2024.

“The [PHSU] School of Dental Medicine D.M.D. program accreditation is a historic achievement for Ponce and Puerto Rico. We are proud to be the island’s first accredited private school of dental medicine. In addition, our school will provide additional training opportunities to students, create new job openings and, most importantly, help improve oral health in our community. The opening of the new dental medicine program is evidence of PHSU’s sustained growth and represents the firm commitment that our institution has to improve the health and quality of life of Puerto Ricans,” said José Torres, Ph.D., PHSU Chancellor.

Dr. Torres explained that the CODA accreditation results from team-based hard work exhibited by the PHSU community that highlights their commitment to academic excellence and the development of highly trained professionals. In addition, the new PHSU School of Dental Medicine will offer a state-of-the-art program that combines quality education with rigorous clinical training.

Furthermore, Noel J. Aymat, D.M.D., FAAPD, J.D., Dean of the PHSU School of Dental Medicine, stated that “the initial accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation is an important step towards fulfilling our mission of providing high-quality education to our students and serving our community. We look forward to welcoming our first incoming class in August 2024 and remain committed to continuing to work hard to ensure the success of our students and the excellence of our program. For the first time in Puerto Rico, we have a private dental school opening its doors that is committed to providing new opportunities to students interested in this great profession while increasing the pool of dentists who can serve in our local communities and the United States. This academic project will provide a much-needed economic boost to Puerto Rico and its southern region.”

The application process for the PHSU SDM D.M.D. program will begin summer 2023. If interested, contact the Admissions Office at (787) 840-2575 ext. 5742 or 5724, email admissions@psm.edu, the PHSU SDM Dean's Office at ext. 5583, or email nicrivera@psm.edu.

Ponce Health Sciences University is an institution that provides high-quality education in medicine, clinical psychology, biomedical sciences, public health, nursing and now dental medicine. Since 1977, it has trained highly skilled professionals in health-related fields. PHSU also has an educational center in Santurce, Puerto Rico, that offers master’s degrees in medical sciences and school psychology, and a doctorate in clinical psychology. PHSU also has a campus in St. Louis, MO.

Press contact: Lourdes Burgos at 787-562-2932.

Courtesy of Ponce Health Sciences University School of Dental Medicine

Published on April 12, 2023