The paper presents definitions of key terms concerned with development of medical practice guidelines, identifies eight attributes of good practice, and examines issues of guideline implementation and evaluation. The eight attributes are validity, reliability and reproducibility, clinical applicability, clinical flexibility, clarity,…

The quality assurance consortium begun in 1979 and similar professional and foundation projects have influenced dental school curriculum development in the last decade. Other forces driving development of academic and practice programs for quality assurance include cost containment, risk management, electronic technology, and developments in…

A survey of dental schools that revealed processing quality control and routine maintenance checks on x-ray generators are being carried out in a timely manner is discussed. However, methods for reducing patient exposure to radiation are not being fully implemented, and some dental students are being exposed to x-rays. (Author/MLW)

This paper reviews the literature on consumer involvement in dental quality assessment, argues for inclusion of this information in quality assessment measures, outlines a conceptual model for measuring dental consumer quality assessment, and presents data relating to the development and validation of an instrument based on the conceptual model.…

Since 1987, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry has established a system of committee responsibilities for quality assurance, involving the committees for clinical affairs, academic performance, safety and therapeutics, and a council composed largely of department chairs. Additional review of procedures and records management…

Surveyed U.S. and Canadian dental schools about integration of quality assurance (QA) and risk management (RM) and what mechanisms have been most effective in measuring accomplishments. Main findings included that a majority of schools had a written QA program and committee and many reported significant changes resulting from the program; over…

Acceptance of practical tests for dental school graduates brings with it questions of the reliability and efficacy of the board examinations. The continued existence of state boards has been justified by suggesting that any weakening in curriculum is apparent by the state dental board's annual review. (MLW)

Three aspects of quality control are discussed: development of the technology of quality assurance, accessibility of dental care as a quality assurance issue, and the role of the professional association in quality control. Pressures to both assure quality of services, and control costs are acknowledged. (MSE)

Steps in establishment of Indiana University School of Dentistry's quality assurance program included gathering existing information on quality assurance; ascertaining administrative support; appointing a committee; defining terms and setting goals; raising awareness and commitment; designing a patient satisfaction survey; undertaking a chart…

The Pew National Dental Education Program has attempted to provide a focus for redirecting the mission, programs, and work of dental education. Its objective was to assist dental schools in long-term change in response to the needs of the public and to play a leadership role within the profession. (MLW)

A program of small grants to dental students to attract beginning researchers to the field of quality assurance has shown that recruitment from an existing student pool is rapid and inexpensive and works best when it uses volunteers, has short cycles and rapid turnaround, and uses the dental communication network. (MSE)

A program in peer review and quality assessment at the University of Michigan denture department is described. The program exposes students to peer review in order to assess the quality of their treatment. (Author/MLW)

It is argued that while the American Dental Association promotes quality of care, there is little evidence of significant implementation of quality assurance by the organized dental community and long-standing resistance to the quality assurance movement among individual dentists. Some potential remedies are discussed. (MSE)

A variety of issues in the debate over assurance of quality of dental care are discussed, including the methods and implementation of quality assessment and the mechanisms of quality assurance among individual dentists. (MSE)

A survey of 48 United States dental schools investigated the degree and type of program evaluation conducted. Results indicated a range of related activities, with evaluation and remedial action occurring in a majority of schools. However, establishment of criteria for specific quality assurance activities was found lacking. (Author/MSE)