Year 1 of 2025-2028 Cycle

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The Quality Improvement (QI) activity requirements for year 1 of the 2025-28 cycle involves the use of a patient questionnaire; a practice-based meeting and reflection. This dental team-led QI project will help develop a better understanding of the patient experience of NHS dentistry.

This guide has been developed to support dental teams to carry out this QI activity and fulfil their QI requirements.

What is the purpose of this QI activity?

The aim of this QI activity is to explore patient experience of receiving enhanced preventive advice and treatment following the Scottish Government dental payment reform in November 2023. This information will help you to understand how the current provision of preventive advice aligns with delivery of Values Based Health and Care in GDS.

Who is required to participate in this QI activity?

Dentists who are listed to provide NHS General Dental Services in Scotland are required to participate. This QI activity has been shared with all dental teams and practitioners in GDS across Scotland and is a requirement for Year 1 of the Quality Improvement Activity 2025-28 Cycle.

Do I have to take part?

Participation by dentists is a requirement for Year 1 of the Quality Improvement Activity 2025-28 Cycle. Dentists are asked to invite eligible patients to participate (see eligibility criteria in the Page - Part 1 - Section 1a). If a patient does not wish to take part, they do not need to give a reason. If you only provide private care with no NHS commitment, these QI requirements do not apply.

If you are a referral or specialist practice that does not routinely provide item 2(a) Enhanced preventive advice and treatment (Determination 1) there are an alternative set of questions for your practice which may be more appropriate. These are accessible by contacting qi.hub@nes.scot.nhs.uk

Project Overview

This QI activity requires the following steps. This guide has been developed to support dental teams with each component.

Part 1

Create and distribute a patient feedback questionnaire

Part 2

Conduct a practice team based reflective activity

Part 3

Submit a reflective report to NES

More Information

You can find the above information and more in our FAQs section.