Child Protection Policy

BG Placeholder

Dental Care Professionals Child Safe Policy

Definitions

Child or young person - persons under 18 years of age.

Complainant – person who makes a complaint.

Harm - Section 17 of the Safety Act defines ‘harm’ to mean physical or psychological harm (whether caused by an act or omission), including harm caused by sexual, physical, mental or emotional abuse or neglect.

Working with Children Check – All persons working or volunteering with children in Dental Care Professionals are required to have a valid, up to date ‘not prohibited’ Working With Children Check certification.

Purpose

This policy has been prepared to demonstrate that Dental Care Professionals is committed to maintaining an environment in which children are safe. The policy will outline the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in the organisation. The policy was updated on 31/10/2023 and is scheduled for review/update within five (5) years ie: by 31/10/2028.

Statement of commitment to the safety and protection of children and young people

Dental Care Professionals is committed to providing an environment which is safe for children and young people.

This policy complies with our obligations under the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 and the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 including:

  • Safety Act - Chapter 8, Section 114 and 115 – certain organisations to ensure environment is safe for children and young people etc;
  • Safety Act - Chapter 5, Part 1 – Reporting of suspicion that child or young person may be at risk.
  • Prohibited Persons Act – part 4 Restrictions on working with children

 

It also complies with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations implemented from 1st July 2021 in South Australia.

All staff and owners of the practice retain current and valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) clearances.

A record of the name of each staff member/copy of the certificate is retained in a digital folder in Practice Documents on a central database.

All AHPRA-registered practitioners working at Dental Care Professionals are aware of their Mandatory Reporting Requirements with respect to reporting suspected harm and risk of harm to children and/or young persons in our care.

Children and young people are valued, respected and are encouraged to participate in their dental care. We do this by:

  • Children and young persons are encouraged to attend Dental Care Professionals in the company of their parent/guardian/carer
  • In our working space, all children and young persons will be in the company of at least two (2) adults at all times (treating clinician and dental assistant) as well as any accompanying family members
  • Parents/carers/guardians are welcome in our practice working space
  • Utilising hand mirrors to engage children and young persons in treatment
  • Incorporating children and young persons into treatment findings – for example: showing them where there is plaque on their teeth, demonstrating directly how to care for their teeth; discussing oral hygiene and diet directly with the child or young person
  • Rewarding and praising desired behaviours (good toothbrushing)
  • Encouraging children and young persons to ask questions and raise concerns
  • Involving children and young persons in treatment decisions where appropriate

 

The safety and protection of children and young people is always the first priority of staff employed by Dental Care Professionals.

All children and young people are welcomed in our dental practice regardless of their abilities, sex, gender, or social economic or cultural background and equity is upheld. Bullying and harassment will not be tolerated.

Dental Care Professionals displays age/developmentally-appropriate material to assist/educate children and young people. The dental practice is actively involved in treating children and young people under the Child Dental Benefit Scheme (in most instances bulk billed). The Practice includes material aimed at children and young people in an informative loop displayed on screens in the waiting area, targeting oral hygiene and dietary intake.

Scope of policy

This policy, from the date of endorsement, applies to all practice and partnership owners, staff, contractors and sub-contractors, students and volunteers.

Dental Care Professionals requires all people working in the practice (irrespective of whether they are F/T, P/T, casual or visitors) to accept and act in accordance with the policy.

Permanent staff are required to confirm their agreement in writing as recorded in the Table above.

Dental Care Professionals requires parties such as contractors to accept and act on the policy as a condition of any contracts or agreements entered into by them.

Commitment to child safety

All children and young people who attend Dental Care Professionals have a right to be safe and to receive appropriate, high-quality treatment. We are committed to ensuring that those objectives are met.

Working with Children Checks (WWCC)

All employers, clinicians and staff (over the age of 14) working at Dental Care Professionals are required to obtain a Not Prohibited Working with Children Check to perform ‘child-related work’ - including the provision of child dental services (includes volunteers and work-experience students who will work with children on 7 or more days in a year, whether consecutive or not).

Staff are not permitted to work with children unless a WWCC has been issued and verified (SA.GOV.AU - Working with Children Checks (www.sa.gov.au). We will verify existing staff renew their WWCCs every 5 years. Verification of WWCCs will be via the online Organisation Portal accessed via the DHS Screening Unit (Department for Communities and Social Inclusion - Screening Unit - Login (dcsiscreening.sa.gov.au)

Communication

In accordance with Chapter 8 (Section 114(5)) of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017), Dental Care Professionals will make a copy of the policy available to employees, volunteers, children and young people and families:

  • the policy is available on website
  • the policy is available in hardcopy on request
  • it is provided as part of a welcome pack
  • the policy is emailed on request to any interested parties

 

Dental Care Professionals takes the well-being of our patients seriously and we are committed to providing a safe environment for all – including the children and young persons who visit our premises. We expect all employees to read and be familiar with our Child Safe Policy, a copy of which is retained at Reception

Participation of families, children and young people

Dental Care Professionals provides an inclusive and safe environment to care for the health and well-being of children and young persons. Children and young persons are:

  • involved by employing age/developmentally-appropriate techniques in communication
  • engaged by utilising age/developmentally-appropriate language
  • considered in terms of developmental level and cultural background
  • encouraged to take part in all consultations
  • encouraged to take part in treatment decisions
  • educated on how to care for their dental and oral health utilising age-appropriate materials
  • provided feedback to encourage preferred oral health behaviours
  • encouraged to provide feedback to the practice about their treatment/experiences
  • utilising appropriate behavioural management modalities such as providing for treatment under RA, GA or by referral to specialist clinicians
  • provided a safe environment in which to express themselves
  • made to feel welcome and respected
  • asked for feedback on previous visits – what they like/didn’t like

Code of Conduct

Dental Care Professionals has developed a practice-specific Code of Conduct which staff are required to comply with.

All staff of Dental Care Professionals are made aware of, and agree to abide by, the standards set out in the above Code of Conduct insofar as they relate to the provision of services to children. Penalties for breaches of the Code apply (see below).

Copies of the Dental Care Professionals Code of Conduct (Patient’s Rights Policy) can be accessed via:

  • our website
  • at staff induction
  • staff documents portfolio
  • on request

Feedback and complaints

Dental Care Professionals provides the following avenue/s to allow people to report concerns around a breach of the code of conduct:

  • Face-to face feedback
  • Telephone / SMS feedback
  • Written feedback
  • Online feedback

 

Dental Care Professionals considers and responds to all feedback/breaches of the code in a timely manner (within 14 days).
Responding to feedback/complaints may include:

  • Acknowledging concerns
  • Offering an explanation or reassurance
  • Adjusting protocols to ensure event is not repeated
  • Expressing regret/apology
  • Offering re-treatment, a refund or credit for future treatment/appointment
  • Providing additional education for staff
  • Offering change of practitioner
  • Implementing disciplinary action
  • Releasing staff or patient from the practice

 

A copy of Dental Care Professionals code of conduct in included as:

  • a separate document to be included with our compliance statement lodgement.

Recruitment and support

Dental Care Professionals seeks to attract and retain the best employees and volunteers. We provide support and supervision so that people feel valued, respected and fairly treated. We ensure that employees who work with children and young people have:

  • a Not Prohibited WWC check (in accordance with the requirements of the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016
  • Are aware of mandatory reporting requirements
  • Are provided with ongoing supervision, support and training so that their performance promotes the establishment and maintenance of a child safe environment
  • Receive regular performance appraisals

 

Dental Care Professionals utilises:

  • clear job descriptions including a clear commitment to child safety and wellbeing
  • face-to-face interviews that include behavioural questions in relation to child safeguarding
  • screening processes, including at least two referee checks and qualification checks
  • on-the-job observation and probationary periods
  • an induction process for new employees/volunteers that is clear on their responsibilities to children and young people, including record keeping, information sharing and reporting obligations

 

Dental Care Professionals will undertake to advise the Department of Human Services Screening Unit on: Phone 1300 321 592 should we become aware of information pertaining to any person involved in our practice of committing breaches, including any serious criminal offence, disciplinary or misconduct information.

Staff training

– to be completed by staff on induction and thereafter at least 3 yearly:

Reporting suspected harm or risk of harm to a child – mandatory reporting obligations for dental practitioners

Registered dental practitioners (registered with the Dental Board of Australia/AHPRA) are required by law to make a mandatory report whenever they form a reasonable belief that a child they are treating is at risk, or has suffered harm. See: Mandatory notification information booklet (dhs.sa.gov.au)

The obligation to report arises when this suspicion arises during the course of employment (whether paid or voluntary) ie: when treating patients.

Any staff member who is not a mandated notifier may also make a report on moral grounds

 

***Call 000 if it is an emergency/child or young person is at immediate risk – ambulance or SA police***

 

By phone: To report a suspected case of harm or risk of harm call the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL): 13 14 78. The report line is available 24 hours a day. All serious concerns must be reported via the report line.

Online: Report child abuse or neglect | Department for Child Protection

There is a requirement to make the notification as soon as is reasonably practicable after forming the suspicion or reasonable belief. Refer to the Mandatory Reporting Guide (PDF, 603.0 KB) for guidance on when to report concerns.

To help you to prepare, see preparing to report suspected child abuse or neglect for details on what information should be provided in a report

Dental Care Professionals will be guided by the relevant authority (Department for Child Protection/SA Police) about how to proceed after a notification has been made.

Dental Care Professionals requires internal reporting of any notifications be made to Nicole Schultz will manage any notifications pertaining to staff members. If a person in the practice has caused harm to children and young people, they will be removed from any role that involves contact with children and young people until authorities have concluded their investigation.

Reporting and responding to general complaints or feedback

Complaints and feedback are welcomed by Dental Care Professionals. Complaints and feedback that relate to harm or risk of harm to a child is not to be managed through a complaints process – please see mandatory reporting above. Patients, parents, carers, members of the community and staff may submit complaints/feedback via the following avenues:

  • in-house complaints/feedback/in person
  • telephone / SMS
  • online via our website
  • by email
  • by regular mail

 

Dental Care Professionals will deal with all complaints and feedback promptly, sensitively and fairly:

Risk management

The table below outlines potential risks to children/young persons in dental practice and the strategy Dental Care Professionals employs to mitigate risk:

Document_1 (1)
Document_2 (1)

Related policies and procedures

Policy Review

Dental Care Professionals will, at a minimum, review this policy document once every 5 years as required by the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 and, from time to time whenever:

  • new or altered risks for children/young persons are identified
  • Concerns are raised regarding a child/young person under our care
  • Whenever staff identify child safety issues
  • Changes are made to legislation that relate to child safeguarding