Accreditation

The Kaiser Permanente Dental Care Program has been continuously accredited since 1990 by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

The program is one of only 37 dental practices in the nation - and the only in the Pacific Northwest - to hold this accreditation.

The program has had an unwavering commitment to providing the highest levels of quality care for patients, and the same high level of conduct in its business practices. Accreditation by the AAAHC is proof of this commitment, and signifies that the organization has met the rigorous standards of a nationally recognized third party.

Dental home accreditation

In early 2012, all 17 of our dental offices received dental home accreditation by the AAAHC. We became the first in the Northwest – and the third in the nation - to attain this new accreditation.

What is a dental home?

According to AAAHC, the services provided by an accreditable dental home are patient-centered, dentist-directed, comprehensive, accessible, continuous and organized to meet the needs of the individual patient served.

This means our members have a personal dentist who directs all dental care, any referrals and follow-up. Our dentists use the latest, proven research in their treatment and work as a team with our hygienists, assistants and in-house specialists to provide seamless, coordinated care. 

Coordinating with medical

For patients who receive care from both a Kaiser Permanente physician and dentist, our dentists have access to a specialized view of their electronic health record, providing them a more complete view of current health, other pertinent health history and current medications. This helps our dentists coordinate with medical colleagues when necessary and could play a role in improving our members’ overall health.

About the accreditation process

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive on-site, peer-based survey of its facilities and services.

Status as an accredited organization means the organization has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care, set by the Accreditation Association:

• Rights and Responsibilities
• Governance
• Administration
• Quality of Care Provided
• Quality Management and Improvement
• Clinical Records and Health Information
• Infection Prevention and Control and Safety
• Facilities and Environment

Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation.

The Dental Care Program’s status as an AAAHC accredited organization allows it to provide an extra measure of confidence to the communities it serves.

To learn more about the AAAHC, visit the organization’s Web site.