With all dentists in England now required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) we ask the question how this will benefit the patient.The patient now has the opportunity to play an active role in maintaining government standards; they will be able to achieve this by being given the means to report any concerns that they may have within the dental practice.
By accessing the CQC website:
- Patients can fill out a form where they can register their experience and note the level of care they have received.
- Another active way for them to give their views and ideas is to become involved in consultations.
The website also gives patients access to choices available to them with regards to healthcare providers, an online dictionary enables them to find out how their dental practice is performing and if they are maintaining the required standards.
STANDARDS
- Adequate information should be provided to patients by the dental care team and all treatment options available should be discussed with patients being supported throughout the decision making process.
- Patients should be treated with dignity and their privacy should be respected regardless of sexuality, age, culture, religious beliefs, or disability.
- Dentists should obtain consent from patients before treatment commences.
- All patients’ individual needs and requirements should be respected and any care should reflect this
- In addition dietary advice should be available to patients to ensure dental health is maintained.
- Dental care is now co-ordinated and in the event of patients moving practices this will come into effect.
- Patients have the right to be treated in a safe and clean environment free from abuse and infection. Dental surgeries will be required to have procedures in place in order to comply with this.
- Any patients requiring medications will be ensured that these will be available when required and procedures will be in place for the safe dispensing and storage of these.
- Equipment will be appropriate and fit for use.
- An adequate number of Dental care professionals will be available who will be skilled and qualified in their roles.
- Dental practices will be required to have efficient management systems in place with regular monitoring of quality and staff to ensure that standards are met.
- Patients records will be treated as confidential they will be accurate and securely stored.
COMPLAINTS
In the event of a patient being unsatisfied with their dental care, procedures are required to deal with complaints which should be dealt with quickly and efficiently.
If the patient feels that the complaint has not been dealt with to their satisfaction they can in the case of an NHS practice take the complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman or complaints can be made to the General Dental Council (GDC).
If a patient has a concern about a dental practice they can contact the Care Quality Commission and highlight the concern by accessing their website, where they will find information on the national helpline, e-mail or the postal address.
Further Information
CQC Booklets
What standards you have a right to expect from the regulation of your dentist
Guidance about compliance summary