The academy will provide numerous NVQ qualifications, not just in the dental profession, but across the board.
Dental Smiles Academy is working with local communities, job centres and schools to provide courses to help people gain qualifications into employment.
Dawn Cluley, head of centre at Dental Smiles Academy, has recently written an NVQ qualification for decontamination of instruments and devices, this is now a City and Guilds approved qualification.
Dawn says that it became apparent there was a need for training in the decontamination of dental instruments.
With the introduction of the CQC (Care Quality Commission), the uncertainty of the new regulated body, expectations have been high to produce the correct procedure and documentation of validation within the decontamination room.
Dawn took matters into her own hands and composed a qualification that ensures full compliance.
The academy has been given accreditation as a City and Guilds approved centre and is the first education centre to be delivering this new qualification.
The qualification is in demand and the currently has a waiting list.
Dawn said: ‘I believe this qualification should be made fit to practise, just as the dental nursing diploma is.
‘Infection control is paramount to patient care.
‘Care providers must recognise its role within an organisation.’
Dr Muslim Khoja (pictured), director of Dental Smiles Academy, made a big investment in building the academy.
Both Dawn and Dr Khoja strongly believe that with the continual changes regarding the way the industry works, and the demand for CPD (continuous professional development) and vocational qualifications, there was a need for a training centre that could facilitate hands on training.
The academy is attached to a dental practice, which will give students the opportunity to learn in the classroom and work in a dental surgery.
The academy also has a fully-compliant decontamination room.
Interactive facilities are available between the classroom, surgeries and decontamination rooms so live demonstrations can be included in the training.
