According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, the dental field has many specialized techniques such as implant grafting, bone grafting, sinus lift or modern dental restoration that have been widely deployed, helping people access advanced treatment methods right in the locality.
However, along with the rapid development of medical techniques, there are increasingly high requirements for ensuring patient safety. Many dental techniques today are in-depth interventions, posing risks if the performing facility does not fully meet the conditions on professional human resources, equipment and technical procedures as prescribed.
Faced with that reality, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health said that it will continue to strengthen inspection and supervision of professional quality at dental facilities, and at the same time review and adjust a number of regulations related to technical list appraisal to ensure compliance with current legal regulations.
Previously, according to Circular 07/2015/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health, techniques belonging to the surgery group, special procedures or type I when first deployed at a medical examination and treatment facility were considered "new techniques, new methods". These techniques must go through a two-step process including pilot implementation and then be allowed to be officially applied.
In the process of management, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health also applies this approach to some specialized dental techniques. Establishments with sufficient capacity are allowed to deploy techniques in a pilot form under the appraisal of the Technical Expert Council. Monitoring results in the initial stage helps management agencies assess the effectiveness and safety level of techniques and promptly rectify risks that may affect patients.
The technical and professional council of the Department of Health includes dental and maxillofacial experts from Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology in Ho Chi Minh City and the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology - University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City to ensure that the appraisal is carried out objectively, scientifically and in accordance with professional standards.
However, since the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment in 2023 took effect, the concept of "new techniques, new methods" has been redefined as techniques applied for the first time in Vietnam. This means that special or type I techniques when deployed for the first time at a medical facility are no longer required to be piloted as before.
In the transitional period, establishments that have been allowed to pilot by the Department of Health according to previous regulations will continue to implement until they complete enough cases according to the issued decision. After that, the establishments must report the results for the Department of Health to consider and allow official implementation.
At the same time, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has issued guiding documents, including Official Dispatch No. 7441/SYT-NVY dated July 31, 2024 on complying with legal regulations in deploying specialized techniques. At the same time, this agency also regularly organizes training and guidance classes for medical examination and treatment facilities, especially dental and maxillofacial clinics, on appraising technical lists and safety requirements in practice.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, in the context of increasing demand for oral health care and rapid development of dental techniques, strict management of professional quality is a key factor to protect the rights and safety of patients.
