Quality Improvement

What is Quality Improvement?

Quality Improvement (QI) focuses on enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of dental care. It involves systematic efforts to improve patient outcomes and experiences, and improve processes, leading to sustainable high standards of care.
 

Why do I need to engage?

Taking part in a QI project or initiative will enable dental teams to identify areas for improvement or confirm that what is already in place meets the required standard, providing reassurance and assurance for dental teams and patients. Depending on the chosen improvement initiative, projects often involve the whole dental team meaning that everyone has a chance to benefit from any work-based learning experience.
 

What support is available for me?

Each Health Board (HB) has a dedicated QI Dental Educator. All are GDC registered dental professionals. They are informed on local and national priorities regarding quality improvement requirements and should be your first contact if you are thinking of taking part in a QI initiative. In many instances the Dental Educator can make a visit to your workplace to assist you or facilitate one of the initiatives. Taking part in a QI initiative awards verifiable CPD and the QI projects such as audits and peer review all attract funding. If you are delivering care to patients within the NHS, then there is no cost to you. QI Dental Educator visits are available to fully private practices on payment of a fee. This fee is usually paid prior to the session.
 

What do I need to do next?  

Take a look at the individual initiatives available and decide as a team what the priorities are for you in your practice or clinic. You can also directly e-mail your local QI Dental Educator if you want some initial help or advice on your choice of QI intervention.

QI Project Officer - HEIW.DentalQI@wales.nhs.uk (for any generic QI queries or to register for an audit)