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Accreditation Standards
Accreditation standards review With new accreditation standards expected in mid-2020 we look at the process of reviewing standards and its importance to dental professionals
ONE OF THE roles assigned to the Australian Dental Council (ADC) by the Dental Board of Australia (DBA) is the accreditation of education and training programs which enable graduates to apply for registration as a dental practitioner. This includes the eight oral health and two dental hygiene programs currently accredited by the ADC and approved by the DBA.
The purpose of accreditation is to protect the public by ensuring education and training programs produce graduates who can demonstrate the skills, knowledge and professional competencies needed to register and practise safely and ethically. In Australia, all education and training programs leading to registration as a dental practitioner are assessed against the ADC/Dental Council (New Zealand) (DC(NZ)) accreditation standards for dental practitioner programs (the Standards).
The Standards consist of five domains: public safety; academic governance and quality assurance; program of study; the student experience; and assessment. During the accreditation process, education and training providers are required to demonstrate how their program meets each Standard.
In 2019, the ADC and DC(NZ) commenced a review of the Standards. Regular reviews of the Standards are important to ensure they remain consistent with contemporary benchmarks and expectations, while maintaining a focus on public safety. The last standards review occurred between 2013 and 2014.
The outcome of the previous review was a significant shift in how dental practitioner programs were accredited in Australia. Four sets of standards, for the different dental professions, were consolidated into a single set of Standards for all registration divisions, including specialist programs. The review also rationalised the number of Standards, with an outcomes-focus approach adopted. This version of the Standards was well received by stakeholders, with other accreditation bodies in Australia and New Zealand adopting them to various degrees.
Building on the positive reception to the current Standards, this review is working to ensure these continue to be consistent with the needs of the sector and the wider community. To achieve this, the ADC and DC(NZ) have drawn on external influences and stakeholder feedback to identify key focus areas for this review. These focus areas include Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori health outcomes; consumer involvement; inter-professional learning and practice; and assessment. It is anticipated that changes to the Standards will be made in each area. In early 2020, the ADC will open the consultation period for the draft accreditation standards. During this time, representatives from across the health sector are invited to provide feedback on the proposed changes to the Standards.
Feedback from the dental hygiene sector is especially important. As professionals working with recent graduates, you have first-hand knowledge on whether the Standards meet the needs of the professions and the communities that they serve. Feedback received during the consultation period will be used to refine the proposed updates to the Standards. The revisions to the Standards will then be considered by the ADC before submission to the DBA for approval.
The new Standards are expected to be released in mid-2020 pending approval by the DBA. Based on the current project timelines it is anticipated that the Standards will come into force from 1 January, 2021.
More information on the standards review, including the consultation period is available at adc.org.au
