The 2025-2028 Quality Improvement Activity Cycle is now live. Please see below for answers to Frequently Asked Questions. These emails are monitored so please be assured if you cannot find an answer to your question below, we will get in touch with you directly.
1) What QI are we meant to do for this cycle?
Full details regarding the QI cycle are available on QIA Pages of Turas Learn
2) What if I predominantly see patients on a referral basis and do not routinely provide enhanced preventive advice or treatment?
If you are a referral or specialist practice 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
3) A hygienist, therapist or oral health educator within my practice provides most enhanced preventive advice or treatment- can these patients be included in the questionnaire?
Yes - any patient that has received enhanced preventive care or treatment is eligible to complete the questionnaire.
4) I work in more than one practice- where should I complete my project?
If you work across 2 or more practices, it is expected that you will distribute questionnaires at each location and attend practice meetings at each location, aiming for 10 responses from each site. You are only expected to submit one reflective report but should include information from all working locations.
5) Do I need to submit my own reflective report?
Yes - each dentist should submit their own reflective report. Whilst the strengths and development needs identified from the practice meeting will be shared, each dentist should submit their own individual reflection in addition to these.
6) What do I do with the questionnaire responses once the project has been completed?
There is no requirement to retain any data regarding questionnaire responses once the project has been completed.
7) Does each dentist need to distribute their own individual patient questionnaire?
No- practices may decide to design and distribute a single shared questionnaire for all participating dentists. There is no requirement for questionnaire responses to be linked to each individual dentist. For example, if 3 dentists are sharing a questionnaire, 30 responses (10 per dentist) would be recommended.
8) I only provide NHS services to children- do I still need to participate?
Yes - all dentists who are listed to provide NHS General Dental Services in Scotland are required to participate. We recommend that questionnaire responses are reflective of your daily practice. If you only provide NHS services to children, it is expected that your questionnaire responses reflect this.
9) How do I comply with GDPR?
All responses received should be anonymous and non-patient identifiable. The QI activity does not require you to share individual patient responses with NES. For further guidance please refer to your practice policy and practice support manual.
10) What happens if my team meeting happened more than 4 weeks prior to me submitting my reflective report?
This is a suggested timeframe for submission of your reflective report.
11) My practice undertook the questionnaire and team meeting when I was on leave/sick/maternity. Do I have to re-do the questionnaire, have another team meeting and submit my own reflective report?
Please refer to paragraph 14 of the Scottish Government PCA for information on leave arrangements. This is a local discussion to be had with your NHS Board.
12) I am an assistant dentist applying to SDVTECC for equivalence. Can I do this QI project and will it count towards my application?
Please refer to paragraph 2 of the Scottish Government PCA for information on who should participate in this QI project. This makes participation for dentists who are on the second part of the Dental List on 1st August 2025 mandatory.
(NOTE- The decision as to whether this project would be accepted by SDVTECC is one for SDVTECC to decide. The project does however meet the criteria for paragraph 40 of the Regulations as it has been approved by NES)
13) We have a new associate who has just completed his VT year. Do they need to carry out any QI activity this year?
Please refer to paragraphs 2 and 12 of the Scottish Government PCA for information on who should participate in this QI project. If a new associate is listed on sub part A of the first part of the Dental List on 1st August 2025 completion of this project is mandatory.
14) We are having difficulties creating the questionnaire. Is someone able to help?
Please refer to the instructional material on Turas as this provides a step-by-step process to follow.
15) I am part time, do I have to do the same amount of questionnaires as my full time colleague?
Please refer to the Scottish Government PCA for information on requirements for this QI project.
16) How do I claim for payment?
NES does not have a role in supporting payment claims for this QI activity.
The Scottish Government PCA advises that payment claims can be submitted to PSD via their website. Please note PSD will accept electronic claim forms only.
Payment claims require a self-declaration of compliance with the requirements of this project. You are not required to submit your reflective report to PSD as part of your payment. If required, dental list numbers can be used to audit reflective report and payment claim submissions.