What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is voluntary for private practices which aims to promote continuous quality improvement.
The program is responsive to the needs and expectations of the dental profession. It provides an evidence-based approach to accreditation by focusing on the six NSQHS which are applicable to dentistry;
- Governance for Safety and Quality in Health Service Organisations.
Professional, clinical and administrative processesses, i.e using statistical healthcare data to analyse and improve patient care. - Communicating with consumers.
Using communication strategies and decision support tools that tailor treatment to the consumer and deliver patient-centred care. Therefore health literacy is important in order to educate the patient on their options and control of their dental health. - Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections.
Staff immunisation, hygiene procedures and sterilising devices. - Medication Safety
Doctor’s need to ensure the patient is correctly prescribed and any potential side effects or clashes are investigated and avoided. - Patient Identification and Procedure Matching
Risks to patient safety occur when there is a mismatch between a given patient and components of their care. The components may be diagnostic, therapeutic or supportive. - Clinical Handover.
This work focuses on communication between the patient and dentist, and improving handover communication across a range of healthcare settings to ensure safer treatment of individual patient conditions. Where the patient’s medical history is not known, it may pose risks if they are undergoing conflicting procedures or taking multiple medications. This standards aims to minimise that risk.
How does Accreditation impact patients?
Achieving accreditation demonstrates a commitment to the provision of excellent dental practice and continuous improvement.
Accreditation protects the community by effectively regulating health practitioners in the public interest and facilitating access to safer healthcare. Accreditation is not compulsory, however, it does consequently ensure a higher standard of healthcare where it is implemented.
How do you get Accredited?
The Dental Board of Australia is regulates dental practitioners. Accreditation is provided via QIP. The Scheme encourages private dental practices to adopt the NSQHS into existing quality systems.
Each accreditation cycle is two years from the date accreditation is awarded and assists practices in the establishment of quality systems.
Accredited practices must meet certain standards of education & training, health & safety, and quality practicing procedures.
These standards are also published on the Australian Dental Council website.
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