48 · 6

IDA Quality Standard 1.0

The base matrix used to evaluate a clinic site: six domains, eight criteria each, scored with evidence. Proposed by IDA for clinical, legal and operational validation before official adoption.

How scoring works

0
Absent, not demonstrable or unsafe
1
Documented but not sufficiently implemented
2
Implemented with minor gaps
3
Implemented, traceable and reviewed

Domain score = 100 × points obtained ÷ (3 × applicable criteria). Global score = sum of each domain score × its weight. A result below a threshold is never rounded up to pass.

Critical criteria (C) must score 3 and cannot be excluded.
Major non-conformities must be closed before a seal is issued.
Minor gaps need a plan with an owner and closure within 60 days.
At most two exclusions per domain and six in total, each justified by scope.

PSPatient Safety

Weight 25 % · 8 criteria

ID	Criterion	Minimum evidence and test
PS01	Infection prevention programmeCritical	Designated lead, current protocols and training. Annual approval reviewed; two team members interviewed.
PS02	Reprocessing and sterilisationCritical	Cycle records, controls and load release under a validated protocol. Five loads traced to use; one cycle observed.
PS03	Hand hygiene and protectionCritical	Supplies available and technique applied. Five opportunities observed; training of exposed staff verified.
PS04	Injections and sharpsCritical	Safe procedures, single-use material and exposure management. Circuit observed; incidents and disposal reviewed.
PS05	Emergency preparednessCritical	Plan, roles, equipment and medicines per scope and regulation. Drill within 12 months and monthly availability check.
PS06	Identification and allergiesCritical	Two identifiers and alerts confirmed before care. Ten records reviewed; identity check observed.
PS07	Incidents and learning	Reporting channel, severity assessment and actions. All serious events in the period plus up to five more reviewed.
PS08	Water and clinical surfaces	Control, cleaning and monitoring plan per manufacturer and local rules. Three months of results and deviation response.

CQClinical Quality

Weight 20 % · 8 criteria

ID	Criterion	Minimum evidence and test
CQ01	Assessment and clinical planCritical	History, diagnosis and plan signed by the responsible clinician. Ten records with adequate assessment before treatment.
CQ02	Informed consentCritical	Alternatives, relevant risks, understanding and consent before intervening. Ten records; a generic form is not enough.
CQ03	Service protocols	Up-to-date, accessible protocols for included services. Three procedures compared against documentation.
CQ04	Responsible prescribing	Indication, allergies, dose and follow-up documented by a licensed clinician. Ten prescriptions reviewed.
CQ05	Continuity of care	Aftercare instructions, contacts and referral. Ten cases with documented follow-up or attempt.
CQ06	Clinical outcomes	Indicators with definitions, denominators and quarterly review. Three indicators recalculated; actions on decline.
CQ07	Case review	At least quarterly case review meetings with improvement owners. Minutes and closed actions for the last three months.
CQ08	Diagnostic appropriateness	Tests and imaging justified by clinical need. Ten requests reviewed; repeats have a documented reason.

PCProfessional Credentials

Weight 15 % · 8 criteria

ID	Criterion	Minimum evidence and test
PC01	Licensed clinical leadCritical	Current licence and formal designation with duties and deputy. Confirmed at the primary source of the country.
PC02	Whole-team licensingCritical	Complete roster with roles and permissions. 100% of clinicians checked, including temporary and external staff.
PC03	Services within scopeCritical	Assignments match licence, training and local scope of practice. Five cases traced to their operator.
PC04	Continuing education	Individual plan and hour records. IDA proposal: 20 hours a year including 4 on safety or ethics, or higher local minimum.
PC05	Competency assessment	Induction, initial and annual assessment by role. Five staff files and supervision of new hires reviewed.
PC06	Conduct and conflicts of interest	Signed code, declarations of interest and incentive management. Policy and adherence reviewed.
PC07	Professional cover	Insurance where applicable and a mechanism to respond to harm. Validity, holders and scope verified.
PC08	Credential monitoring	Expiry alerts and quarterly review of changes. An expiry is simulated to confirm unauthorised tasks are blocked.

PEPatient Experience

Weight 15 % · 8 criteria

ID	Criterion	Minimum evidence and test
PE01	Clear information	Services, responsibilities and limits explained without misleading promises. Website, front desk and three documents reviewed.
PE02	Transparent estimates	Estimate, payment terms, changes and refunds disclosed. Ten estimates and accepted changes reviewed.
PE03	Access and dignity	Accessibility, communication and non-discrimination protocol. Site walk-through documenting adjustments.
PE04	Patient participation	Preferences, questions and decisions recorded. Ten records and voluntary interviews without the treating clinician.
PE05	Experience measurement	Systematic invitations, response rate and quarterly analysis. Negative experiences are not excluded.
PE06	Patient complaints	Visible channel, log, deadlines and protection against retaliation. All complaints if five or fewer, otherwise five.
PE07	Post-treatment information	Adapted instructions, warning signs and contact. Delivery verified in ten cases; announced channel tested.
PE08	Responsible marketing	Authentic advertising and testimonials with consent. Five pieces reviewed; no guaranteed outcomes.

DPData & Privacy

Weight 15 % · 8 criteria

ID	Criterion	Minimum evidence and test
DP01	Role-based access and offboardingCritical	Individual accounts, least privilege and revocation on exit. Roles and last five departures reviewed; unauthorised access tested.
DP02	Notice and lawful basis	Data inventory, purposes and lawful basis per jurisdiction. Clear notices and specific consent where required.
DP03	Retention and data rights	Retention periods, request channel and controlled deletion. One request or simulation reviewed.
DP04	Backup and recoveryCritical	Protected backups and a restore test within six months. Usable recovery evidenced without exposing data.
DP05	Data incident management	Detection, containment, owners and local notification assessment. Annual drill and incident log.
DP06	Processors and transfers	Processor inventory, contracts and transfer assessment. Record, storage and messaging vendors reviewed.
DP07	Technical protection	Encryption in transit, device protection and patching. Configuration, inventory and vulnerability handling reviewed.
DP08	Secondary use and publication	Care, marketing and research kept separate. Five image authorisations reviewed or absence justified.

FTFacility & Technology

Weight 10 % · 8 criteria

ID	Criterion	Minimum evidence and test
FT01	Site authorisationsCritical	Required permits current and consistent with address and services. Checked against documents and official sources.
FT02	Equipment maintenance	Inventory, manufacturer, servicing and withdrawal on failure. Five critical devices traced to their records.
FT03	Imaging and radiation protection	Authorisations, operators, controls and maintenance. Excluded only where the service does not exist.
FT04	Medicines and materials	Batches, expiry and storage conditions. Ten items reviewed; implantable material traceability if used.
FT05	Flows and environment	Clean/dirty separation, ventilation and cleaning per scope. Walk-through observing real flows.
FT06	Clinical waste	Segregation, storage and authorised collection under local rules. Inspection and three months of receipts.
FT07	Business continuity	Plan for power cuts, technology failure or site closure. Annual drill and secure access to needed information.
FT08	Appropriate, validated technology	Software and device inventory, training and validation before use. One recent change and its approval traced.

Specific modules

At least 85/100, every critical requirement at 3, no exclusions. A module expires with its base certification.

Implant Center

IC01Lead and operators with verified competence and licensing for the scope.Critical
IC02Selection, planning, consent and traceability of implants and components in every case.Critical
IC03Documented surgical, restorative and maintenance protocols.
IC04Tracking of complications, failures and retreatments with denominators.
IC05Referral and complication response with prosthetic continuity.

Ten cases from the last 12 months chosen by the auditor, including complications, batches, planning and follow-up.

Orthodontic Center

OC01Licensed clinicians; specialty shown only where locally recognised.Critical
OC02Diagnosis, objectives, risks and consent documented.Critical
OC03Progress checks and plan adjustments.
OC04Retention, discharge and continuity if treatment is interrupted.
OC05Recording and review of adverse effects and functional outcomes.

Active and completed cases, diagnostic records, progress checks and retention plans — aligners included where offered.

Digital Dentistry Center

DC01Digital workflow validated before use, with competent operators.Critical
DC02Patient identity and traceability from capture to delivery.Critical
DC03Calibration and quality control of equipment and products.
DC04Interoperability, export and contingency for failures.
DC05Tracking of remakes, adjustments and workflow errors.

Ten jobs traced end to end, file versions and final clinical approval. Buying a scanner does not earn the module.

Pediatric Dental Center

PD01Verified paediatric competence; specialties as locally recognised.Critical
PD02Child identity, guardianship, consent and age-appropriate participation.Critical
PD03Prevention and individual plans.
PD04Behaviour management, referral and care for special needs.
PD05Child protection and emergency protocols for the scope.

Cases across ages, guardianship records, preventive plans and referral routes. Sedation needs its own annex.

Cosmetic Dentistry Center

CD01Functional and health assessment before any aesthetic proposal.Critical
CD02Consent covering alternatives, irreversibility and realistic expectations.Critical
CD03Documented planning and clinical validation of the design.
CD04Material traceability and laboratory communication.
CD05Tracking of satisfaction, complications and retreatments.

Diagnosis, plan, consent and follow-up in ten cases. Before-and-after photos are not evidence of quality.

International Patient Center

IP01Information and consent in a language the patient understands, with competent interpretation.Critical
IP02Continuity, emergency and coordination plan after the patient returns.Critical
IP03Transparent estimate, schedule, travel conditions and changes.
IP04Secure information transfer with verified recipient and basis.
IP05Responsible coordinator, accessible complaints and remote follow-up within scope.

Ten international episodes: language, summary handover, follow-up contact and coordination after the patient returns home.

Center of Excellence

Active Certified Clinic and active module
12 months of comparable outcome data with two quarterly reviews
Peer review of ten cases chosen by the auditor, including complications
Two documented improvement cycles
Systematic patient experience measurement, including unfavourable responses
90 global, 85 per domain, 90 in the module

Methodological references: CDC infection prevention summary for dental settings, WHO Patient Safety Rights Charter (2024) and ISO/IEC 17065 as a conceptual reference for impartial evaluation. These sources do not endorse IDA or validate its thresholds.