STANDARD 7: Professional Dental Staff

7.1 General

1. The dental organization shall be organized in a manner to achieve their intended outcomes safely, according to their available resources, and within the scope of practice offered. (Please see related requirements as stated in standard 1, standard 4, and standard 6).

2. The dental organization shall have a professional staff composed of licensed dental practitioners working exclusively within their scope of licensure.

3. National law shall define and determine the types of associated professionals eligible to supervise and direct the provision of dental patient care services.

4. The dental organization shall enforce licensure suspension as indicated by national law.

7.2 Professional Dental Staff Organization, Accountability, and Responsibility

1. The dental supervisory staff shall actively participate in the control of all dental organization requirements and activities including, but not limited to, those listed below: 

a) infection prevention and control oversight; 

b) tissue review; 

c) utilization review with respect to available and/or limited resources; 

d) dental record review and enforcement of national record keeping requirements;

e) risk management system; 

f) patient, related family and other interested party satisfaction as deemed necessary; 

g) medication management oversight; 

h) other quality management system activities as deemed necessary.

2. In the case of dental records, the dental staff and the dental organization shall ensure that the preparation and maintenance of complete and accurate dental records is in place for each patient according to national law.

3. The dental organization shall have periodic meetings at reasonable intervals to review management considerations for clinical improvement and continued customer satisfaction.

4. The dental organization shall define the circumstances and criteria under which consultation or management by a dentist, physician or other qualified licensed independent practitioner is required.

5. When remote or telemedicine services may be utilized national law and standard of care shall be observed.

7.3 Performance Data

1. In the case of large multidisciplinary dental facilities, the concept of performance data review shall be considered to maintain quality service delivery, continual improvement, and customer satisfaction. Where improvement can be identified and possible, the dental organization shall consider appropriate corrections to be initiated.

2. Areas for monitoring and measuring shall include but are not limited to the following areas of practice as applicable: 

a) medication management: prescribing patterns, trends, errors, and appropriateness;

b) narcotic and scheduled drug management; 

c) dental case review of appropriateness, justification, and outcome including comparison to national and international standards or research; 

d) specific department indicators as required; 

e) appropriate and careful use of resources;

f) patient focus and other customer satisfaction requirements; 

g) significant deviations from established standards of practice; 

h) timely and legible completion of patients’ dental records; 

i) the ability to interact with staff and patients in a courteous, positive, and appropriate manner 

j) review of moderate sedation outcomes.

7.4 Continuing Education

1. All members of the professional dental staff shall participate in continuing education related to their patient care duties.

2. In addition to other required continuing medical education, professional dental staff shall maintain competence in the techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.