Tighter laws for Jordan’s dentists

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The accreditation scheme launched by HCAC will be voluntary.

Dentists in Jordan are to face tougher legislation following the launch of the country's Health Care Accreditation Council (HCAC).

Dentists and other healthcare professionals will be expected to match international benchmarks, in the biggest overhaul of the country's health service to date.

The new national standards have been designed to reflect the requirements of the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua).

To gain accreditation under the scheme, dental clinics will have to honour standards set out by HCAC covering safety, infection control, clinical quality and service.

May Abuhamdia, CEO of the Council, admitted the panel was struggling to update legislation for the dental sector.

"We are seeing that accreditation for dentistry is actually quite a niche area," she said.

The Council has now opted for a consultation period with the industry, to pin down key areas for improvement. "When the research is complete we will have a better idea of what the needs of dental sector are," Abuhamdia said.

Although the accreditation scheme is voluntary, Abuhamdia is confident market forces will encourage dentists to sign up. "Hopefully end users will eventually start to demand that their service providers go for accreditation, even though it is voluntary," she said.

The news was welcomed by local dentist, Dr Nora Tleel, proprietor of the Toothland Clinic in Amman. "I think accreditation is a good thing," she said. "Standardised clinics, offering services to a specific benchmark will not only help the patient but will also be good for the reputation of the dentists.

"Those with the accreditation will have an advantage in the market."

The inception of the HCAC marks the end of a four-year consultation process between the Ministry of Health and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The agency has partnered with Jordan to improve health care, renovating rural hospitals and primary care practices.

Accrediation standards will be updated bi-annually.

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