Costa Rica Dental Association: Accreditation Standards

ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE

Quality patient care is possible when patients have access to a wide variety of specialty services from licensed, qualified specialists.

1.1:

Practice Policy: The dental practice has a system that enables the dentists and dental surgeons to accommodate patients’ dental needs. Criteria for compliance: Practice policies are displayed.

1.2:

Priority of Care: The practice has a process for accepting patients for treatment. Urgent cases should be addressed as a priority. Criteria for compliance: Front desk staff can identify urgent cases.

1.3:

Appointment System: The practice has an appointment system available, designed to minimize patient waiting time. Criteria for compliance: Use of a patient appointment system.

1.4:

Practice Hours: Adequate information as to the practice hours is available. Criteria for compliance: Adequate information on practice hours is provided.

1.5:

Type of Services: Comprehensive and clear information of the services available which enables patients to choose the practice that best meets the patient’s needs. Criteria for compliance: List of services is displayed with sufficient information on the types of dental services offered.

1.6:

Fair and Accessible Care: Treatment/services is fair and accessible to all patients Criteria for compliance: Patients are treated without discrimination.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

2.1:

Physical Structure: The dental practice structures confirm to the required basic physical requirements appropriate to offer a quality level of dental care services under relevant international standards and local regulations. Criteria for compliance: There is valid registration of the practice with the relevant authority and the physical structure of the clinic complies with relevant regulatory requirements.

2.2:

Equipment: All dental equipment shall be adequate, appropriate and well maintained. Criteria for compliance: There is evidence of compliance for certification, scheduled maintenance and calibration.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Appropriate qualifications and training are a critical for the delivery of quality dental care. Dental practices must provide proof of dentist, dental surgeon and dental specialist training and demonstrate support for ongoing education and training of staff to provide safe and quality dental care.

3.1:

Human Resource Management: Appropriate and adequate staffing is provided to patients. Criteria for compliance: Dental Practice must have the following: i) Valid Practicing Certificates for Dentists, Dental Surgeons and Dental Specialists ii) Practice must have an appropriate number of support staff commensurate with the number of dental practitioners. iii) Each staff member must have a job description. iv) Practice must comply with local labor laws.

3.2:

Human Resource Development: Continuing education is provided to all staff. Criteria for compliance: i) ‘On-the-job’ training for staff is available. ii) Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

3.3:

Appropriate Training for Specific Procedures: All dental staff shall have the appropriate training and degrees for the specific procedures they perform. Criteria for compliance: i) Evidence of training / certification for specific procedures. ii) Where specialist services are provided, appropriate specialist certification is available.

PRACTICE

The facility shall be organized and managed to provide appropriate dental care to the patient.

4.1:

Patient Records: Patient health and dental records contain sufficient information to identify the patient and to document reasons for visit, assessment, management, progress and outcome. Criteria for compliance: i) The dental practice maintains a system of creating and updating dental information on every patient. ii) Each patient has an individual health record containing all relevant clinical information.

4.2:

Security and Confidentiality of Patient Records: Patient information is well secured and confidentiality is maintained. The retention of patient records meets local privacy requirements. Criteria for compliance: i) Security of records. ii) Only authorized personnel shall have access to the records.

4.3:

Fees: Information on dental fees is made available to the patient. Fees and process for determining fees are clear and easy to understand. Criteria for compliance: i) Fee schedule is provided to the patient upon request. ii) Patient is informed of the details of fees that will be charged prior to commencement of treatment. Patient is asked if he/she completely understands and agrees to the proposed treatment. iii) A receipt is given for every payment and an itemized bill is given to the patient upon request.

4.4:

Drugs / Adverse Drug Reaction: The drug inventory shall be organized and well managed. The dental clinic will have a record of any adverse drug reaction and a protocol to notify the relevant authorities. Criteria for compliance: i) Standard operating procedures for drug dispensing should be understood by appropriate staff. ii) Adequate information shall be given to the patient on medication dispensed. iii) Records of drugs dispensed shall be kept by the clinic. iv) A record of adverse drug reaction shall be maintained.

4.5:

Clinical Management: Diagnosis and management of patient shall conform to accepted treatment standards. Criteria for compliance: i) Clinical Practice Guidelines relevant to the practice should be made available (where appropriate). ii) Written care instructions and protocols are available.

4.6:

Quality of Care: Patient assessment shall be appropriate, comprehensive and documented. Criteria for compliance i) Appropriate assessment is conducted to determine the optimal dental treatment program for the patient. ii) Appropriate reassessment of patient is carried out to ensure continuity of care. Any concerns or difficulties to providing patient care shall be discussed with the patient.

4.7:

Referral System and Feedback: There shall be an appropriate referral system in the practice. Where cases have been referred to the practice, there should be a system of feedback to the referring practitioner. Criteria for compliance: i) There is a list of specialists for referral available. ii) Specialists will be qualified and meet Human Resource Standards.

4.8:

Oral Health Promotion and Prevention: Health promotion and preventive services shall be available to the patients. Criteria for compliance: i) Availability / display of health education information. ii) Evidence of health promotion and disease prevention activities.

SAFETY

Dental services shall be provided safely and effectively through knowledgeable and skilled staff in compliance with national and international standards and guidelines. The dental practice must be safe for staff, patients and public.

5.1:

Infection Control: The dental clinic has a program to reduce the risks of facility acquired infections among patients and staff. Responsibility for infection control is undertaken by the Clinic Manager. Criteria for compliance: i) Compliance to Infection Control Policies ii) Strict adherence to sterilization protocol. iii) Sharps disposal adheres to guidelines. iv) Usage of Personal Protective Equipment where appropriate. v) Staff education on Infection Control procedures.

5.2:

Occupational Safety: The facility provides a safe and healthy environment for staff. Criteria for compliance: i) Clinic has occupational safety guidelines and adheres to them. ii) Clinic practices appropriate radiation safety. iii) Clinic has disaster management system in place. iv) Clinic has safety signage on display. v) Clinic has safe dental laboratory practices.

5.3:

Waste Management: The facility practices appropriate waste management. Criteria for compliance: i) Clinical waste management protocol adheres to relevant regulations and guidelines. ii) General waste management protocol available. iii) Chemical waste management protocol adheres to relevant guidelines.

ETHICS

The practice has a responsibility to protect the privacy and confidentiality of patients through the physical set up of the practice and through processes that protect their personal and health information.

6.1:

Patient Confidentiality: Clinic offers sufficient patient confidentiality and privacy. Criteria for compliance: i) Patient’s records are safely stored. ii) Appropriate protocols for release of patient records are available.

6.2:

Patient’s / Guardian’s Rights: There is evidence of adequate information given to the patients. Criteria for compliance: i) Informed consent and/or informed refusal is obtained. ii) A dental report is provided to the patient upon request and payment of fees. iii) The patient is given the opportunity to have a second opinion pertaining to his dental condition / treatment.

6.3:

Patient Privacy: Care provided is respectful of the patient’s need for privacy during clinical consultation, examination and procedures. Criteria for compliance: Patient’s need for privacy during examinations and treatment is respected.

6.4:

Doctor- Patient Relationship: The dental practitioner shall maintain a strictly professional relationship with all patients. Criteria for compliance: The Code of Professional Conduct is observed.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

7.1:

Legal Requirements: The clinical practice conforms to relevant statutory regulations. Current guidelines are available and accessible to all staff. Criteria for compliance: i) There is evidence of compliance to the guidelines issued by company management. ii) There is a clear delineation of authority and roles.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES

The practice ensures the provision of quality services through continuous involvement in quality improvement activities.

8.1:

Effective Quality Improvement Activities for the Practice: The quality improvement activities include evaluation of clinical and non-clinical services. Criteria for compliance: Adequate records are maintained about quality improvement activities. An appropriate complaint mechanism is available for patients and staff.