Plaza College Receives American Dental Association Accreditation

Plaza College’s, Queens-based dental hygiene degree program, New York City’s newest in over a quarter-century, has been granted full-accreditation, from the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation.

This is the national accreditation commission, which oversees all 331 Dental Hygiene degree programs, among other dental specialties, throughout the United States. The accreditation is a rigorous four-year process.

Plaza’s first class of students, originally admitted to the program in September 2017, recently graduated in May, and are now in the process of taking the National Dental Hygiene Board Certification Exam. Every one of the May 2019 graduates, have also already passed the ADA’s Clinical Dental Competency Assessments Examination, which is necessary in gaining professional certification.

“The granting of full approval by the Commission on Dental Accreditation is a remarkable validation for our faculty, students and to their future employers,” said Dr. Laura Sleeper, RDH, Dental Hygiene Program Director. “And to have earned this accreditation with no ADA Commission reporting limitations, speaks volumes to the respected evaluation our faculty and students achieved.”

The College’s unique program enables its students to gain two-years of clinical experience by working and training at its state-of-the-art Community Dental Clinic, which provides free or discounted treatment to patients of all ages from throughout the New York City region. Under the supervision of licensed dentists and hygienists, the dental hygiene students also advance the clinic’s mission to expand the public’s access to quality dental care, by providing oral health screenings, treatment plans, and oral hygiene services.

“The Plaza College Dental Clinic provides a critical health service to New Yorkers in need,” said Dr. Margaret Garland, Practicing Dentist and Dental Hygiene Program Instructor. “Our students are making a true difference and also gaining hands-on experience as they provide accessible and affordable healthcare, especially for children and underserved populations.”

Plaza College offers the only dental hygiene program in the borough of Queens.