Practice standards are part of the Dental Council's Standards framework for oral health practitioners.
As part of its responsibilities to set standards, the Council has a Standards framework for oral health practitioners (standards framework) that sets out the minimum standards of ethical conduct, and clinical and cultural competence that practitioners must meet. At the centre of the standards framework are practice standards which have been developed for specific practice areas.
Each year the Council undertakes a random audit of practitioners’ compliance with the practice standards. Ten per cent of practitioners from each profession are randomly selected to complete a Practice standards compliance questionnaire.
The Council offers education and guidance where issues are identified in the first instance, or we may request remedial action be undertaken. The audit approach is educational, with opportunities to remedy any non-compliance.
A smaller number of practitioners from this group undergo a detailed audit at their practice with a Council appointed professional advisor.
If you are selected for an audit at your practice, Council staff will email you to explain this process and will arrange for a professional advisor to contact you directly to arrange a suitable time to conduct the audit.