Dentistry is a very significantly large and growing industry in India with high level of competition too due to increasing dentist/population ratios and an all round need for improved dental health. Dental Clinics can be likened as small business establishments in which the Dentist not only treats patients, but also addresses concerns such as customer satisfaction, paperwork processing, patient scheduling, hiring, retaining and compensating the Staff etc. Quality aspects in a Dental Clinic would include Providing the appropriate clinical services based on the diagnosis,Providing preventive and restorative care appropriate to the patient s requirement.Ensuring the use of right materials like bonding agents and composite materials.Ensuring proper curing of these materials depending on wavelength and intensity of the light curing unit, with use of radiometers to measure the intensity of light.Maintaining emergency kits including oxygen cylinders, monitoring expiry datesFire drills and medical emergency drills needed for accreditation.Proper maintenance of fire extinguishers, ensuring their readinessInfection Control - Post Treatment Infection Tracking Policy: Example - all oral surgery, endodontic and periodontal surgery procedures to be followed up with a phone call to the patient with-in 3 days. If problems are noted, the dentist will take appropriate measures to resolve the situation.Licenses and certifications./oxygen based sedation monitoring if applicablePreventive maintenanceSterilizer monitoring. Dental Clinics can go for the ISO 9001 Certification, to establish a documented and essential Quality Management System. If they already have a similar system in place and protocols for most clinical and administrative areas, they would best go for the NABH Accreditation, as applicable for Dental Clinics.
