The development of a model and implementation process for clinical governance in primary dental care

Abstract

A model and an assessment tool have been developed to support clinical governance within the primary care sector. These bring together quality assurance and governance components to create a unified standard providing a single working model for service development. The model consists of 14 components that define structure, control the process and assure the outcome. Each consists of a number of indicators, which are scored in turn. The results are then weighted to emphasise those that are more critical. The model has been tested and found to be helpful in identifying weak areas to support action planning. Re-scoring will help to demonstrate that improvements have taken place. Other services and practices can now carry out baseline assessments, and demonstrate and measure improvements. General dental practitioners are provided with a scoring system, which identifies clinical governance areas in their practices that require attention and which facilitates prioritisation. © British Dental Journal 2004.