When you’re choosing a dentist, you probably look at location, hours, reviews, maybe whether they take your health fund. Most people don’t think to ask whether the practice is accredited — and that’s understandable, because the dental industry doesn’t talk about it much.
But accreditation is one of the most meaningful things you can check. Here’s what QIP accreditation actually is, what it involves, and why it should matter to you as a patient.
What is QIP?
QIP stands for Quality Innovation Performance. It’s an independent accreditation body that assesses healthcare practices — including dental practices — against the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
These are the same standards that apply to hospitals and day surgery centres. The assessment covers infection control, clinical governance, patient safety systems, medication management, record keeping, and how a practice handles incidents and complaints.
QIP accreditation is voluntary for dental practices. It’s not required by law, and many practices don’t pursue it because the process is rigorous and time-consuming. The practices that do go through it are choosing to hold themselves to a higher standard of accountability.
What does the assessment involve?
It’s not a box-ticking exercise. QIP accreditation involves a thorough review of a practice’s systems, policies, and day-to-day operations. Assessors visit the practice, interview staff, review documentation, and observe clinical processes.
They’re looking at things like:
- Infection control procedures — sterilisation protocols, instrument handling, surface decontamination, PPE compliance
- Clinical governance — how the practice monitors clinical outcomes, manages risks, and ensures continuing professional development
- Patient records — completeness, accuracy, confidentiality, and appropriate storage
- Emergency preparedness — whether the practice has the right equipment and training to handle medical emergencies
- Patient communication — informed consent processes, treatment planning documentation, and how patient feedback is handled
The accreditation cycle isn’t a one-off either. Practices must maintain their systems and undergo reassessment to retain accredited status. It’s an ongoing commitment, not a trophy you earn once and forget about.
Why should you care?
Because it tells you something that a Google review can’t.
A five-star review tells you someone had a good experience. QIP accreditation tells you the practice has systems in place to deliver safe, consistent care across every patient, every day. It means the sterilisation room has been independently verified. It means there’s a proper incident reporting system. It means staff training is documented and current.
It doesn’t guarantee perfection — no system does. But it significantly reduces the likelihood of the kinds of failures that put patients at risk, and it gives you confidence that the practice takes clinical governance seriously rather than just talking about quality in their marketing.
Is Smile Spot QIP accredited?
Yes. Smile Spot Mawson Lakes holds current QIP accreditation. We pursued it because we believe patients in Mawson Lakes, Parafield Gardens, Salisbury, Paralowie, Ingle Farm, Golden Grove, and Para Hills deserve to know their dental practice meets independently verified safety standards — not just the ones we set for ourselves.
QIP accreditation sits alongside our other quality commitments — we’re a Bupa Members First Platinum provider, a preferred provider for NIB, CBHS, HCF, and smile.com.au, and we use CEREC same-day crown technology so patients get permanent restorations in a single visit. We accept all major Australian health funds.
You can learn more about our team and practice standards on our about page.
How to check if a practice is accredited
You can ask directly — any accredited practice will be happy to confirm their status. You can also check with QIP directly through their website. If a practice is vague about it or changes the subject, that tells you something too.
It’s not the only factor in choosing a dentist, but it’s one of the few that’s independently verified rather than self-reported.
Ready to visit a QIP-accredited practice?
If you’re looking for a dentist in Mawson Lakes or the northern suburbs, we’d be happy to see you. We’re open Monday to Thursday until 7pm, so evening appointments are available for patients who can’t make it during business hours.
Book online or call us on (08) 8258 0650.
Smile Spot Mawson Lakes — 1/3 Coventry Street, Mawson Lakes SA 5095.