IDA to set up patient safety committee

The Council of the Irish Dental Association has announced its intention to organise a committee to look into quality and safety matters that affect dental professionals and their patients.

The idea behind the committee is that it will develop a proactive way in which to deal with the recommendations made by recent policy reports, including Building a Culture of Patient Safety – Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance, the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections and the Radiation Protection Institute’s new guidelines.

In addition, the committee will address the threats posed to patients who travel abroad for dentistry and their subsequent lack of redress when things go wrong. Also on the committee’s agenda will be the significant costs associated with providing patients with the highest possible level of care.

IDA members interested in participating in the new standing committee are invited to contact IDA House to signify their interest.