Quality Assurance and Improvement Systems for Oral Health in India and the Relationship of Educational Innovations.

Abstract

What quality assurance and improvement systems for oral health services are relevant cross culturally and how can related educational innovations be utilized effectively. In Western countries, a variety of philosophies and models are applied in health systems to address quality and safety associated with oral health services.  The value may relate to one or a combination of the following issues. Accountability to the public, variations in clinical decision making, the potential for continuous  improvement in clinical care, quality as a potential mediator for cost and access issues, risk management, guideline development and marketing issues (Best,1999). In Australia, The Australian Council on Health care Standards has developed a continually evolving accreditation system for use in health services. Clinical Governance frameworks have a high profile in the United Kingdom. It is imperative that the educational elements of these philosophies and models are optimized. A great deal of further research is required and evidence developed on how professional knowledge should be packaged and used in relation to quality and safety issues from both public health and clinical perspectives. The focus of this paper will be an appraisal of quality and safety philosophies and models and performance review for oral health services and the linking of education research and utilization of educational innovations to optimize quality and safety outcomes for different stake holders