Clinic Verification Methodology
Our 30-point verification process
By SmileJet Editorial Team · Updated May 2026
Every clinic in the SmileJet Bali network is assessed across 30 criteria before listing and re-assessed annually. This page explains exactly what we check, how we score it, and what it means for your safety as a dental tourist.
Why independent verification matters in dental tourism
Indonesia does not have a national dental tourism accreditation programme. The Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI) registers dentists and monitors ethical conduct but does not certify clinics for international patients. ISO 9001 and JCI certification, while valuable, are expensive, voluntary, and held by only a minority of otherwise excellent clinics. This leaves a gap that patients cannot easily close through their own research from abroad.
The consequence is that Bali's dental tourism market ranges from world-class clinics with modern CBCT imaging and Swiss implant systems, to basic general practices that have added a "dental tourism" landing page. The price gap between them can be as little as 20 percent. Without independent inspection, a patient booking on price alone has no reliable way to distinguish them. SmileJet's verification process was built specifically to solve this problem for Australian and international patients considering Bali.
The 30-point checklist
Six categories, five criteria each. Every criterion is assessed by an independent Bali-based dental professional, not by SmileJet staff and not by the clinic itself.
1. Credentials & Licensing
-
PDGI registration
Current, uninterrupted Persatuan Dokter Gigi Indonesia registration for all treating dentists.
-
Dentist qualifications
Primary dental degree verified from a recognised Indonesian or international dental school. Overseas-trained dentists must hold PDGI equivalence.
-
Specialist certifications
Any claimed specialist title (prosthodontist, oral surgeon, periodontist, orthodontist) verified against the relevant Indonesian specialist register.
-
Professional indemnity insurance
Current policy confirmed with insurer name, policy number, and coverage scope.
-
Continuing education
Evidence of CPD activity in the past 12 months. PDGI requires 25 SKP points per 5-year cycle; we assess annual activity as a quality signal.
2. Sterilisation & Infection Control
-
Autoclave maintenance records
Spore test logs and service records for all autoclaves inspected on-site. Records must be current within 30 days.
-
Single-use instrument protocols
Documented and observed policy for single-use items (needles, burs, impression trays). No reuse of single-use items permitted.
-
Barrier protection
Correct and consistent use of gloves, masks, eye protection, and surface barriers during simulated treatment observation.
-
Medical waste disposal
Sharps disposal, biohazard waste segregation, and disposal contractor documentation compliant with Indonesian Ministry of Health regulation.
-
Water quality
Dental unit waterline testing (or municipal supply documentation). Colonisation below CDC guideline of 500 CFU/mL.
3. Equipment & Technology
-
Digital X-ray (RVG)
Functioning digital radiography system. Film-based X-ray alone is insufficient for implant or complex restorative planning.
-
CBCT availability
In-house or same-day access to cone-beam CT scanning for implant and surgical cases. Referral-only CBCT with a multi-day turnaround does not pass.
-
CAD/CAM for same-day restorations
In-house milling unit or same-day lab access for provisional and definitive crowns. Not required for all clinics — assessed and noted.
-
Intraoral camera
Present and routinely used for patient education and documentation. Assists in identifying issues and is a marker of systematic care.
-
Modern anaesthesia delivery
Articaine or lidocaine cartridges with current expiry, safety syringes, aspiration capability. No outdated anaesthetic protocols.
4. Patient Communication
-
English proficiency
At least one treating dentist holds conversational-to-fluent English. Assessed via a conducted interview, not self-reported.
-
Written treatment plans
Template inspection confirms itemised treatment plans are issued before any work begins. Must include procedures, materials, and total cost.
-
Itemised quotes in AUD/USD
Price lists and quotes provided in the patient's home currency on request. We test this by requesting a sample quote during the inspection visit.
-
Informed consent forms
Current English-language consent forms covering treatment risks, alternatives, and the right to withdraw. Reviewed against accepted dental consent standards.
-
Follow-up protocols
Documented process for post-treatment follow-up: minimum a 7-day check-in call or WhatsApp, with a process for patients to raise concerns after returning home.
5. Implant & Material Quality
-
Implant brand documentation
Purchase invoices or distributor agreements confirming genuine implant systems. Counterfeit implants do exist in the market; we verify directly.
-
CE or FDA-cleared materials
All restorative materials (ceramics, composites, cements) carry CE or FDA clearance. No unapproved generics.
-
Lab partnerships
Dental laboratories used are inspected or certified. In-house labs are visited as part of the clinic inspection. Off-site labs provide their own certification.
-
Material warranties from clinic
Clinic has a documented patient-facing warranty policy. We record the scope and duration; this information is included on each clinic's SmileJet profile.
-
CBCT-guided implant placement
For clinics offering implant surgery, CBCT-guided or at minimum CBCT-planned placement is standard. Freehand placement without CBCT is flagged.
6. Patient Experience & Safety
-
Emergency protocols
Written emergency procedures for anaphylaxis, aspiration, and medical collapse. Adrenaline auto-injector and basic emergency kit present and in date.
-
BIMC Hospital partnership
Documented referral pathway to BIMC Hospital (Kuta or Nusa Dua) for medical emergencies beyond dental scope. Contact numbers current.
-
Patient feedback systems
Structured post-treatment feedback process. Not just Google Reviews — a clinic-level process for capturing and acting on patient feedback.
-
Complaint resolution process
Written policy for handling patient complaints, including escalation to the treating dentist and the clinic principal. Turnaround standards documented.
-
Physical accessibility
Clinic accessible by patients with limited mobility. Step-free or ramped entry, accessible treatment chairs. Note: Bali's terrain varies; this is assessed per clinic.
How we score
Each of the 30 criteria is scored pass, partial, or fail by the inspecting professional. A clinic must achieve a minimum of 28 out of 30 passes to be listed. A partial score counts as 0.5. Fails on any of the eight threshold criteria — PDGI registration, autoclave maintenance, single-use instrument policy, informed consent, professional indemnity insurance, emergency protocols, genuine implant brands, and English proficiency — are automatic disqualifications regardless of overall score.
Scores are not published on clinic profiles. This is a deliberate choice: a clinic that scores 29/30 is not meaningfully different from one that scores 30/30 in a way that matters to a patient. What matters is whether the clinic passed. Score details are available to patients who specifically request them via Made.
Who conducts inspections
Inspections are conducted by an independent Bali-based dental professional who holds a current PDGI registration. This person is not employed by SmileJet and is not employed by, or affiliated with, any listed clinic. They are engaged under a professional services contract that requires them to disclose any prior relationship with the clinic being assessed.
Inspections are unannounced for the practical portions (sterilisation observations, equipment checks) and scheduled for the documentation review. A clinic that refuses an unannounced sterilisation observation does not pass. Annual re-inspections follow the same protocol.
What verification does not guarantee
Verification is a point-in-time assessment. There are real limits to what it can and cannot assure.
-
Clinical outcomes for individual patients
Verification confirms that a clinic uses appropriate protocols, qualified staff, and genuine materials. It does not and cannot guarantee outcomes for individual patients. Healing is biological and varies between people. A clinic can do everything correctly and still have a patient with a slower healing response or an unexpected complication.
-
Clinic conduct between inspections
Annual inspections do not observe every patient interaction in the months between visits. Staff turnover, supply chain changes, or lapses in protocol are possible. This is why our complaint-triggered re-inspection policy exists. Any formal complaint about a listed clinic triggers an immediate review and, where the complaint is substantiated, a re-inspection within 30 days.
-
Treatment suitability for your specific case
Verification confirms that a clinic is capable of high-quality dental care in general. It does not confirm that a particular treatment is the right choice for your individual clinical situation. Your treatment plan must be developed by your treating dentist after a proper clinical assessment, including current X-rays. SmileJet coordinators can help you prepare questions to ask, but they do not provide clinical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a clinic inspection take?
A full 30-point inspection typically takes 3 to 4 hours on-site, split across two visits when an unannounced sterilisation observation is required. The documentation review (credentials, insurance, treatment plan templates, complaint procedures) is conducted at a scheduled visit. The practical observation (autoclave records, equipment, water lines, material storage) is unannounced.
Can a clinic pay to be listed without passing the inspection?
No. The listing subscription covers administrative costs for listing maintenance. It does not replace or override the inspection. Several clinics have applied for listing, paid the application fee, and been declined after inspection. Application fees are partially refunded if a clinic fails on threshold criteria.
What happens when a listed clinic receives a complaint?
The complaint is reviewed by SmileJet within 48 hours. If the complaint involves a potential safety, quality, or ethical failure, the clinic is suspended from receiving new referrals pending investigation. A re-inspection is triggered within 30 days. If the re-inspection confirms the failure, the clinic is de-listed. Patients already booked are contacted and alternatives offered.
Are inspection reports available to read?
Aggregate inspection results (pass/fail and score band) are summarised on each clinic's SmileJet profile. Full inspection reports are confidential but the detailed scoring breakdown can be shared with patients who are in active planning and specifically request it through Made.
Do you inspect clinics in other Indonesian cities besides Bali?
Our current verification programme covers Bali only. Clinics listed on SmileJet for other Indonesian destinations are reviewed using a lighter-touch remote assessment process, which we disclose on those pages. The full 30-point in-person programme is currently a Bali-specific methodology.
More about SmileJet Bali
Get a quote from a verified Bali clinic
Free, no obligation. Every clinic we quote through has passed this verification process. We will match you and respond via WhatsApp within 2 business hours.