International engagement: promoting outcomes-based accreditation in Vietnam

In April, Philippa Davis, Executive Director, Accreditation, Policy and Research at the Australian Dental Council (ADC), visited Ho Chi Minh City to engage with dental education leaders and academic institutions in Vietnam and highlight the benefits of the ADC’s outcomes-based accreditation approach.  

At the 48th Annual Scientific Conference on Dental Research, Ms Davis addressed the Deans of Vietnam’s dental schools, representatives from the Ministry of Health and other Vietnamese senior academics, about how outcomes-based accreditation enables education providers to be flexible, innovative and responsive to local contexts. Rather than prescribing inputs or minimum procedural counts, Australia’s model focuses on ensuring graduates possess the knowledge, judgement, skills and professional attributes required for safe and effective practice. 

Ms Davis also presented at the Nguyen Tat Thanh University Scientific Seminar, where she outlined pathways to dental registration in Australia for overseas-qualified practitioners. This session outlined Australia’s accreditation and regulatory landscape, the role of the ADC within the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, and the assessment pathways that support public protection by assuring threshold standards for safe practice. 

Across both presentations, Ms Davis reinforced how outcomes-based accreditation prepares graduates to deliver safe, effective and person-centred care. Drawing on the Australian experience, she emphasised how accreditation standards and professional competencies support clinical judgement, adaptable care and improved oral health outcomes. 

Philippa also visited the Dental Schools at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Nguyen Tat Thanh University, providing opportunities for discussions about dental education, accreditation approaches and future collaborations. 

Through its international engagement, the ADC continues to share regulatory expertise that supports high-quality dental education, strengthens public protection, and promotes confidence in dental qualifications both nationally and internationally.