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Why dentists may not be accrediting their dental practices.
This article explores the need to understand why Dental Practice Accreditation is not mandatory in W.A but also, why clinicians are not making it a priority.
Perceived Administrative Burden:
Some dentists may view the accreditation process as administratively burdensome, involving additional paperwork and time-consuming audits and assessments that divert attention from patient care.
In this instance, too, they may have management staff who are underconfident in policy understanding and application so, in the end, the practice remains in stasis and unable to measure itself against improvement metrics.
Financial Considerations:
The accreditation process may come with associated costs, including fees for assessment and potential expenses related to implementing changes to meet standards. Dentists might weigh these financial considerations against the perceived benefits.
Fees for accreditation are not inexpensive, however, ignorance of policy and protocol is not an excuse if a patient lodges a legal action against a dentist for an Infection Control breach.
Current Compliance Confidence:
Dentists who believe their current practices already align with high standards of patient care may question the necessity of seeking accreditation. A perception of already meeting or exceeding standards could deter some from pursuing formal accreditation.
By participating in accreditation, even if a dentist believes their practices are already high-quality, they open up a willingness to benchmarking against national standards, identifying areas for potential enhancement, and ensuring ongoing excellence in patient care.
Why dentists need to prioritise accreditation.
Elevated Patient and staff Safety:
Accreditation against NSQHS standards ensures a commitment to the highest levels of patient and staff safety through robust infection control, WHS (including psychosocial safety), medication and medical emergency safety, health record safety, and overall quality of care protocols.
Professional Credibility and Trust:
Achieving accreditation enhances a dental practice's professional credibility, fostering trust among patients, regulatory bodies, and the broader healthcare community. Patients may ask, “Why wouldn’t they want to be accredited?” and that is a good question. As a Dental Governance Manager, I would want staff to ask if a dental practice is accredited before they work there.
Continuous Improvement and Competitive Edge:
The accreditation process promotes continuous quality improvement, ensuring the practice stays updated with industry guidelines. This commitment to excellence provides a competitive advantage, attracting patients who are seeking high-quality dental care. It also keeps systems strong which, in turn keep staff well trained and focussed on growth.