For Patient Management

The dental clinic should welcome and actively seek the patients opinion and views to help it continuously improve the quality of care it provides.

1. The patients should be made aware of the clinic’s policy for handling any concerns or complaints he/she may have. The policy should include how long it will take to handle concerns or complaints.
2. The patient has the opportunity to make views known on any aspect of the service and care. This can be done confidentially.
3. The patient can make complaints about the dental clinic. The patient should be made aware of other organisations to raise concerns or complaints with, including the Indian Dental Association.
4. The patients views and feedback should be used by the clinic to improve it, as appropriate.

The patient must be treated with dignity and respect by the dental team throughout the visits.

1. The dental team must treat the patient with respect as an individual. The patients age, gender, race, religion or belief, disability and sexual orientation will not influence the quality of the service given.
2. The dental team must refer the patient for care to somewhere else that is suitable if the facilities are not accessible for the patient due to disability, special needs or language.
3. The dental team confirms the patient's personal details in a manner which is sensitive to privacy and dignity. The patient must be given consultation and treatment in an environment that allows privacy.
4. The patient must be made aware of the names of the dental team involved in providing care. The patient must be made familiar with the facilities.
5. The patient must be given an explanation if he\she is kept waiting beyond the appointment time and also discuss alternative arrangements.
6. There should always be a third person present during the treatment. This is usually the dental nurse. In some circumstances, the patient may be asked to bring someone with them to be there during treatment.
7. The patient must be given explanations about care and treatment in terms that they can easily understand, and have an opportunity to ask questions during the appointment.

Full assessment of the patients needs will determine decisions about dental care, including preventive care to be given.

1. A member of the dental team must check the patient's medical history before the treatment begins to make sure, as far as possible, that the treatment is safe. This includes asking the patient about current, and previous, state of health and recording any current medication. Medication may include prescribed drugs, as well as over-the- counter preparations. The patient must be given help from by a member of the dental team, if needed, to provide this information.
2. It is important that the dental team know of any change in the patient's health, however minor. This includes any change in medication.
3. The dentist must contact the patient's doctor for information that is relevant to dental care and treatment. The patient must be asked to give permission for this.
4. The patient must be given dental history after conducting an oral examination, which includes looking for any signs of possible serious disease in the mouth and surrounding areas that may need to be investigated further.
5. The patient must be informed if any investigations is needed after the dentist sees history and examination.
6. The patient must be informed of the results of any assessment and investigations.
7. If the patient needs an urgent referral, the dentist must have a system in place for this referral to be made as a matter of priority.
8. The patient must be explained the need for specialist treatment. This explanation will include what specialist services are available and what the referral criteria are for these services. The dentist must arrange for the patient to be referred to a specialist, as appropriate.

The patient must be informed about the risks, benefits and costs involved before taking any decision on any care and treatment to be provided to the patient.

1. The dentist should gives clear information about the range of treatments that are available, and are relevant to patient needs and preferences. This includes an explanation of the advantages, disadvantages and costs of any treatment, as well as what may happen if the patient may choose not to proceed.
2. The dental team must obtain patients consent to treatment in line with current best practice guidelines and legislation.
3. The patient should be provided with a verbal or written estimate of treatment costs before he decides to undergo treatment.
4. The patient must be presented with the opportunity to ask questions or receive further advice from the dentist or from an appropriate member of the dental team (or both). The patient may have a member of his/her family, or another person of their choice, ask questions on their behalf.
5. The patient must be provided with sufficient time as he/she needs to consider, and agree, for the treatment.
6. The patients treatment plan must be recorded and they should have access to it. The patient must be informed if any changes need to be made to this plan, and the reasons and costs, when they arise.
7. The patients must be informed how long their appointments are likely to last and the estimated timescale of the proposed treatment.
8. If the patient needs treatment after an examination, he/she should be offered an appointment within a timescale agreed by him/her and the dental team.
9. If the patient wants to, they can discuss any aspect of their proposed care at a later date.
10. If the patient is unable to express their own wishes or views, decisions about their care and consent to it should be in line with current best practice guidelines.
11. The patient must be involved in making decisions about his/her care and treatment.

Dental care and treatment must be safe and competent in a manner designed to put the patient at ease.

1. Any examination, investigation or treatment is only carried out after the patient has been advised about what will happen and has given the agreement.
2. Any concerns about treatment, including pain control or anxieties must be discussed with the patient. The patient must be offered a range of pain and anxiety control options as appropriate.
3. Medication must be fully explained to the patient, including:
   • the reasons for taking the medication;
   • any common side effects; and
4. If the patient needs to be referred to another dentist or dental clinic for continuing care and treatment, the dental clinic makes suitable arrangements for this.
5. If the patients needs an urgent referral, the dental clinic must have a system in place for doing this.

After the consultation, investigation or treatment, the patient must be told about, the next line of treatment needed.

1. The dental team must explain about ongoing care and the plan for how it will be provided, taking account of the patient's oral healthcare needs and preferences.
2. The patient must be provided with clear information and an explanation about the ongoing care of mouth and teeth.
3. As part of your ongoing care the patient must be advised routine check-ups at a frequency that reflects the oral health needs. The service must have systems for reminders for the patient.
4. If any changes needs to be made to treatment plan, the dentist must discuss these with the patient and any changes must be recorded.
5. The patient must be given advice, tailored to their needs, about maintaining or improving oral health and preventing problems. The patient must be given oral health promotion literature.
6. The patient must be informed of any potential long-term treatment needs.
7. The patient must be given advice and emergency care out-of-hours.
8. Information about care and treatment must be shared between dental team. If the patient does not agree to this, the team will respect this and explain any implications.
9. The patient must be informed of arrangements for continuing care if the dental clinic ceases to provide a service.
10. If the dentist is no longer able or willing to treat the patient reasons must be given in writing.

The dental care and treatment must be provided according to recognised current best practice guidelines.

1. The dental clinic must review its performance of clinical treatment and care against current best practice guidelines, and all members of the dental team must be involved in the review.
2. The ongoing process of review helps improvements in clinic and the standard of care and treatment the patient receives.
3. The dental team adheres to radiation guidance and legislation to ensure that radiographs (x-rays) are taken safely and are appropriate.
4. The dental team must meet the Indian Dental Association’s continuing professional accreditation requirements in relation to radiography and radiation protection.
5. The care and treatment the patient receive from the dental team must be at par to satisfy all relevant government department of health, social services and public safety and Indian Dental Association standards and guidance and regulations.
6. If conscious sedation services are provided, the dental team will be appropriately trained to provide this care and will deliver conscious sedation services according to recognised best practice and current guidelines.

The dental team must be trained to deal with any emergency during the patient's treatment.

1. The dental clinic must have an up-to-date written protocol for dealing with emergencies.
2. The whole team must be suitably trained in dealing with emergencies and knows how to respond at any time.
3. The dental team must have its resuscitation and emergency care skills updated annually and meets the Indian Dental Association’s continuing professional accreditation requirements in relation to medical emergencies.
4. The dental clinic must have appropriate equipment and drugs for treating medical emergencies. The equipment must be in working order. All drugs must be within their expiry date and stored safely.
5. The dental team should be trained and know what to do if there is a fire or if the premises need to be evacuated.

The care and treatment that children, young people and vulnerable adults receive from their dental clinic should account of their special physical, psychological and social needs, and must be provided in partnership with parents, guardians and care takers.

1. The dental team should be aware of the law on children, young people and vulnerable adults giving informed consent. The team must understand the consequences if children, young people and vulnerable adults agree or refuse treatment.
2. Dental care provided for children and young people should take account of their different stages of development.
3. The dental team should have procedures in place for child protection.