A Quality Management System for Dental Education

The research design employed an operational/ action and descriptive research methodology to formulate both the design process and the eventual the development of a quality management system (QMS) for dental education. Objectives: The objective of the study is to ensure that quality control of education, one of the critical performance areas of the school. Methods: The system consists of an internal and external audit of the educational processes namely curriculum development, teaching, learning and assessment. The programme manager education and module chairs and chairs of other committees are responsible for the implementation of the QMS. only way in which a School can attain its goal of excellence is to place a premium on quality. Our aim is that this vision will eventually form part of the culture, attitude, hearts and minds of all the personnel that constitute the School and the Hospital. Results: The management system acts as an instrument/ structure/ framework to measure the quality of the educational programs, identify areas needing improvement, and add value. As a spin-off, it contributes to the promotion of a culture of quality and continuous quality improvement by means of innovation in education. Chairpersons of the different committees, as identified in the plan, on a continuous basis use their meetings and deliberations to reinforce the vision of the School. It is our goal that everything that we plan or implement, must meet the criteria of excellence. The process, products or outcomes are of necessity constantly be measured by means of self-evaluation/analysis, peer evaluation or evaluation by the customer, to assure that they conform to the specified standard of excellence. Conclusion: The school appointed a quality Assurance Committee who manages quality of the processes and the outcomes, on a continuous basis according to the QMS and educational standards of the HPCSA and WFME.