Advisory PCHS25/01: Advice on not applicable actions for private dental practices
To clarify not applicable actions for private dental practices implementing the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards (Primary and Community Healthcare Standards).
Advisory details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Advisory number | PCHS25/01 |
| Version number | 1.0 |
| Publication date | 31 July 2025 |
| Replaces | N/A |
| Compliance with this advisory | It is mandatory for approved accrediting agencies to implement this Advisory |
| Information in this advisory applies to |
|
| Key relationship | National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards |
| Attachments |
|
| Notes | Updated actions for private dental practices implementing the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards |
| Responsible officer | Margaret Banks Director, National Standards Phone: 1800 304 056 Email: AdviceCentre@safetyandquality.gov.au |
| To be reviewed | July 2027 |
Purpose
To clarify not applicable actions for private dental practices implementing the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards (Primary and Community Healthcare Standards).
Issue
Not all actions within the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards will be applicable to every private dental practice. The Commission has issued this advisory to ensure the consistent application of not applicable status to actions within the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards.
Requirements
The two attached summary tables outline the circumstances where:
- Actions do not apply to private dental practices, and it is not necessary to submit an application to the accrediting agency for approval (Attachment 1)
- Actions may not apply, depending on the scope of services they provide, and where an application to the accrediting agency is required (Attachment 2).
Practices implementing the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards should consider their individual circumstances in determining whether actions listed in Attachment 2 are not applicable. It is not intended that actions be implemented where they are not part of the delivery of safe and high-quality care for patients or are beyond the scope of clinical practice of healthcare providers.
Attachments
Attachment 1: Summary tables of not applicable actions where an application is not required
The actions below are not applicable in private dental practices. An application for approval is not required for these actions.
Patient safety and quality systems
| Item | Action | Circumstances where actions are not applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare records | 1.13 | Not applicable when My Health Record system is not in use. |
1.14 | Not applicable when My Health Record system is not in use. |
Comprehensive Care
| Item | Action | Circumstances where actions are not applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive care at the end of life | 3.24 | Not applicable when end-of-life care does not form part of a service’s delivery of health care. |
Attachment 2: Summary tables of not applicable actions where an application is required
The actions may not apply in some private dental practices. They require individual consideration and an application for approval from the practice’s accrediting agency.
Clinical Safety Standard
Preventing and controlling infection
| Item | Action | Circumstances where actions are potentially not applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Aseptic technique | 3.07 | Not applicable where aseptic technique is not required in the delivery of health care. |
| Invasive medical devices | 3.08 | Not applicable when invasive medical devices are not used in the delivery of health care. |
| Reprocessing of reusable medical devices | 3.13 | Not applicable when sterile reusable critical medical instruments, equipment and devices are not used in the delivery of health care. For private dental practices – sub action b) relates to batch control[1]. Private dental practices storing vaccines will be required to meet traceability requirements |
| Antimicrobial stewardship | 3.14 | Not applicable when prescribing, supplying and/or administering antimicrobial medicines does not form part of a service’s delivery of health care. |
Medication safety
| Item | Action | Circumstances where actions are potentially not applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Documentation, provision and access to medicines-related information | 3.15 | Not applicable when prescribing, supplying and/or administering medicines does not form part of a service’s delivery of health care. |
| Safe and secure storage and supply of medicines | 3.17 | Not applicable when prescribing, supplying and/or administering medicines does not form part of a service’s delivery of health care. For private dental practices – sub action b) is not applicable as cold chain management does not form part of the service’s delivery of health care. |
| High-risk medicines | 3.18 | Not applicable when prescribing, supplying and/or administering medicines does not form part of a service’s delivery of health care. |
- [1] Batch Control Identification (BCI): also referred to as tracking, is the ability to link a patient procedure involving critical items back to the records for a specific steriliser cycle. This is done for a set, package, or cassette of instruments, by transferring batch information from the label into the patient’s record for that appointment. This includes the date of processing, cycle or load number, and if more than one steam steriliser is in use, its identification number.