Here’s how you can be a vital part in shaping dental quality

The ADA is forming a group of dental ambassadors to develop quality measures in oral health care. Here’s how you can take part.

The Dental Quality Alliance (DQA)-established by the ADA- has taken a lead position in developing quality measures within oral health care.

These quality measures touch every practicing dentist in the U.S. -how dentistry is modeled and how it's financed changes in the future. Specifically now, as a result of the Affordable Health Care Act, they'll become even more prevalent. According to the ADA, the mission of the DQA is to advance performance measurement as a means to improve oral health, patient care and safety through a consensus-building process.

To do so, the DQA is looking for your input.

The group is looking to mentor around 100 dental industry leaders nationwide, transforming them into dental quality ambassadors to promote quality improvement and educate the dental community on this emerging field.

There will be a conference at ADA Headquarters June 28 to 29 to train the ambassadors, giving them the tools they need to promote the quality measures and make improvements in the dental profession.

"We encourage participation from all stakeholder communities that are interested in improving oral health care," said Dr. Ronald Hunt, DQA chair, and associate dean for academic affairs at Midwestern University's College of Dentistry. "The ambassadors will learn how measuring quality can lead to improved oral health of the public. They can also help inform others in their community of the importance of measuring oral health care quality on a population basis."

Through an application process, the DQA aims to select a broad and diverse group of people. To apply and to see a preliminary agenda, visit www.ada.org/8138.aspx. The deadline for applications is May 1.

For more information on the DQA and the upcoming conference, visit ADA.org/dqa.

Information obtained from the ADA.