ADEA DHCAS: Program Directors
Welcome to the ADEA DHCAS® (ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service). This service is available to all individuals applying to dental hygiene programs participating in the application service. ADEA DHCAS provides a secure, online platform for programs to access applicants' data and track their progress.
Highlights
- Find answers to ADEA DHCAS FAQs.
- Take a look at participating programs by using the ADEA DHCAS Program Finder
- Learn more about ADEA DHCAS! Set up a webinar by contacting Leslie Payne at PayneL@adea.org or (202) 962-9109.
NEW! Multi-track Programs
Now Supporting Multi-track Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs
What is a Multi-Track Program?
ADEA DHCAS® (ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service) now supports institutions that offer both dental hygiene and dental assisting pathways.
This enhancement allows participating institutions to manage applications for both pathways through a centralized admissions process while maintaining program-specific admission requirements and review criteria.
Visit the ADEA DHCAS Multi-Track Dental Assisting Programs FAQs for more information.
Eligibility
Institutions may be eligible to participate if they:
- Offer both dental hygiene and dental assisting educational pathways.
- Have admissions personnel responsible for reviewing applications for one or both programs.
- Utilize a centralized or coordinated admissions process for applicant review.
- Wish to manage admissions activities through a single application service.
Programs are encouraged to contact ADEA DHCAS to discuss participation and determine the best configuration for their admissions process.
Because admissions processes vary by institution, ADEA DHCAS works with programs individually to determine the most appropriate configuration and participation model.
Institutions that offer both dental hygiene and dental assisting pathways are encouraged to contact ADEA DHCAS to discuss their admissions process and participation options.
Participating programs can:
- Streamline application collection and review.
- Reduce administrative workload.
- Provide applicants with a centralized application experience.
- Manage admissions decisions within a single platform.
- Increase visibility through the ADEA DHCAS Program Finder.
Simple Clarification
If your institution offers dental hygiene and dental assisting as completely separate programs, this expansion does not apply.
If both are part of a connected, multi-track program structure, you may be eligible.
How Multi-track Programs Use ADEA DHCAS
ADEA DHCAS allows multi-track programs to manage admissions through one centralized system.
With ADEA DHCAS, programs can do the following:
- Receive one centralized application from applicants.
- Configure track-specific questions within the application.
- Review applicants across multiple pathways in one system.
- Manage the full admissions process within WebAdMIT.
The system supports:
- Flexible review workflows,
- Consistent, standardized applicant data and
- Streamlined communication with applicants.
Why This Expansion Matters
For programs, the multi-track program:
- Simplifies admissions across multiple pathways,
- Reduces administrative complexity,
- Creates alignment across dental hygiene and assisting tracks and
- Improves efficiency in application review and decision-making.
For applicants, the multi-track program offers:
- One application for multiple opportunities,
- Clear visibility into available program pathways,
- Reduced duplication of effort and
- More streamlined admissions experience.
Built for Multi-track Flexibility
ADEA DHCAS provides tools designed specifically for programs with integrated structures, such as:
- Custom track designations within a single application,
- Program-specific questions by pathway,
- Unified applicant review in WebAdMIT and
- Centralized and consistent applicant data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which programs are eligible?
ADEA DHCAS multi-track participation is available to institutions that offer both dental hygiene and dental assisting educational pathways. Eligibility is determined based on how the institution manages its admissions process and application review activities.
Programs interested in participating are encouraged to contact ADEA DHCAS to discuss their admissions model and participation options.
Do dental hygiene and dental assisting programs need to share curriculum?
No. Participation is not based on curriculum design or academic structure. Programs may have different curricula, course sequences, degree types, or educational requirements.
Do the programs need to have identical admissions processes?
No. Programs may maintain separate admission requirements, prerequisite requirements, evaluation criteria, and selection processes. ADEA DHCAS can support varying admissions models within the same institution. Our institution has separate Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs.
Are we eligible?
Possibly. Institutions that offer both programs are encouraged to contact ADEA DHCAS to discuss participation options. Eligibility is not determined solely by whether the programs are separate academically.
Visit the ADEA DHCAS Multi-Track Dental Assisting Programs FAQs for more information.
Explore Participation
Interested in learning how ADEA DHCAS can support your multi-track program?
- Schedule a demo.
- Request participation details.
- Speak with the ADEA DHCAS team.
Not Sure If Your Program Qualifies?
If your program offers both dental hygiene and dental assisting, but you are unsure whether your structure qualifies as multi-track, we encourage you to connect with us by contacting Leslie Payne, ADEA Manager, ADEA Allied Application Service, at PayneL@adea.org or (202) 962-9109.
Our team can help you determine whether ADEA DHCAS aligns with your program’s structure and admissions goals.
Leslie Payne
ADEA Manager, ADEA Allied Application Service
Email: PayneL@adea.org
Phone: (202) 962-9109
About ADEA DHCAS
The ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application is an application service for dental hygiene programs at all levels. Managed by staff at the American Dental Education Association and processed by staff at Liaison International (ADEA's technology partner), ADEA DHCAS is a common application for dental hygiene applicants. It collects standardized information and distributes that information to select programs; collecting and sharing information is the primary goal of a centralized application service and programs retain autonomy to set application prerequisites, make admissions decisions, and transfer coursework. Liaison serves as the information clearinghouse only.
ADEA DHCAS provides a secure, online platform for programs to access applicants and track their progress while simultaneously providing customer service to applicants by phone and email. In addition to providing the verified application to the programs, ADEA DHCAS also provides an admissions management system called WebAdMIT. WebAdMIT is a dynamic site which allows for complex reporting, integrated communication, and management of the whole applicant pool. By working with multiple dental hygiene programs, ADEA DHCAS can also provide useful information on the profession as a whole.
The ADEA DHCAS Program Finder compiles information from programs and makes it available for applicants in one place. Information including class size, prerequisite requirements and contact information is also available in the search engine.
Questions on Multi-Track Programs
Leslie Payne
ADEA Manager, ADEA Allied Application Service
Email: PayneL@adea.org
Phone: (202) 962-9109
Questions
WebAdMIT Support
Phone: (857) 304-2020
Email: webadmitsupport@liaisonedu.com
The WebAdMIT support team is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
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