DBA approves revised accreditation standards

The revised Australian Dental Council (ADC)/Dental Council (New Zealand) (DC(NZ) Accreditation standards for dental practitioner programs (the Standards) were approved by the Dental Board of Australia on 31 July 2020.

The review has ensured the Standards remain consistent with contemporary benchmarks and expectations, while maintaining a focus on public safety.

The most significant amendment to the Standards is the inclusion of Domain 6: Cultural safety. Accredited dental practitioner programs will need to demonstrate to the ADC that they are preparing their students to provide culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

The ADC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Narelle Mills, stated “The inclusion of Domain 6: Cultural Safety, is an important addition to the Standards and is supported strongly by the ADC and its stakeholders. I am proud we are taking an important step forward in working with education providers to ensure we are contributing to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.”

Other important revisions to the Standards include greater regard for consumer involvement, clearer expectations for inter-professional collaborative practice, and clarification of the expectations regarding student assessment.

The new Standards are available for download here.

The new Standards will come into effect on 1 January 2021. The ADC is now working closely with dental education providers and assessors on the implications these Standards will have on the program accreditation process.