This program will present important practical information for a practice either considering or undertaking practice accreditation.

Accreditation has been used by Australian health services for nearly 35 years and governments and consumer groups place considerable value on healthcare being subject to some form of independent assurance that aligns with community expectations. Health ministers have now turned their attention to perceived gaps in safety and quality delivery of health services, including office-based dental practice, as part of their health reforms. ADA member surveys indicate little experience or knowledge of accreditation by private dental practitioners.

The combined lecture and workshop will enable participants to confidently enrol in and undertake the Introductory Dental Practice Accreditation Scheme. The Australian Commission in Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), often referred to as the Commission, has developed the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards that are the standards used in the ADA's endoresed practice accreditation scheme.

The ADA and the Commission has developed extensive support material to assist practices in implementing the accreditation. The Commission will present an insight into the kind of web-based information and training material available using an 'easy where is it?" approach.

Topics include:

• What, why and how of practice accreditation
• ACSQHC - NSQHS Standards, Dental Guide and other ACSQHC resources
• Introductory Dental Practice Accreditation Scheme
• Accreditation Pro (Quality in Practice)
• ADA NSW Branch support for practices
• Clinical governance for safety and quality
• Partnering with patients
• Healthcare associated infections
• Medication safety
• Patient identification and procedure matching
• Clinical handover
• Case studies and questions

Course objectives:

This presentation will inform you on accreditation for office-based dentistry and provide you with:

• How to improve safety and quality for your patients
• Better planning and ways of doing your business
• An understanding and application of NSQHS Standards
• Practice accreditation pathways
• To identify and access useful practice accreditation resources for use in your practice
• Accreditation methods that are relevant and integrate with your practice