ADA response on the NSQHS Standards (third edition) consultation

Why the NSQHS standards matter for dentists

The NSQHS Standards set the national benchmark for safe, high-quality healthcare and guide practices to protect patients and improve care. Covering essential areas like governance, infection control, medication safety, patient ID, and clinical handover, these standards help healthcare teams improve systems and deliver safer, more effective care. The upcoming third edition incorporates the latest best practices and regulatory changes, helping dental practices not only achieve accreditation but also demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement.

Recommendations for emerging risks and quality improvements

The ADA’s feedback highlights critical areas including digital health cybersecurity, oversight of AI tools, and resilience of non-clinical systems. Workforce shortages, fatigue, and retention, especially in regional and private sectors, require urgent focus. The ADA also suggests incorporating climate and environmental risks into healthcare planning and emphasises a culture of continuous learning driven by reflective practice and incident reviews.

Addressing digital health, workforce, and environmental risks

With expanding use of digital health records, telehealth, AI diagnostics, and cloud technologies, cybersecurity is a high priority. The ADA calls for explicit cybersecurity, data governance, and incident response measures within the standards. Ensuring systems used by non-clinical staff are resilient is also important to avoid patient care disruptions. Post-pandemic workforce pressures threaten care quality, especially in rural areas, while climate change requires that healthcare risk assessments consider environmental effects.

Promoting integration and continuous quality improvement

The ADA advocates for the third edition to drive high performance beyond mere compliance, embedding patient-centred outcomes, transparent reporting, and accountability. Integrated care across all health sectors, especially for older and complex patients, needs enhanced practitioner collaboration and robust government-supported information sharing. Oral health must be fully integrated into overall health planning, supported by secure digital tools.

Improving clarity and reducing redundancy

To aid implementation, the ADA recommends adding visual tools like flowcharts and diagrams for processes such as incident management. Reducing duplication by streamlining patient-centred care and workforce competency sections will lessen administrative burden and clarify expectations.