The ZZQ [Agency for Quality in Dentistry], a unit of the Institute of German Dentists, is a joint body operating under the auspices of the Bundeszahnärztekammer - Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Deutschen Zahnärztekammern e. V. (BZÄK) [German Dental Association] and the Kassenzahnärztliche Bundesvereinigung K. d. ö. R. (KZBV) [National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists].

The function of the ZZQ is to address problems of quality promotion in dentistry, external quality assurance and internal quality management on behalf of the German dental profession.

The ZZQ's work extends over a broad spectrum, involving issues of quality in relation to the structures, processes and outcomes of dental activities - that is, to such matters as continuing training, quality management systems, Guidelines and quality indicators. A focal point is coordination of the compilation of Guidelines on diagnostic and therapeutic methods in dentistry, their evaluation, dissemination and review. The ZZQ also evaluates, reviews and assesses external guidelines in terms of their relevance to the development and updating of its own Guidelines.

The ZZQ acts as a consultant to its host organizations on quality matters; it coordinates the activities of the German Dental Association's Committee on Quality in Dentistry and of the joint BZÄK-DGZMK [German Dental Association / German Society of Dento-Maxillo-Facial Sciences] Advisory Committee on Continuing Training.

The results of the ZZQ's activities are published in the IDZ [Institute of German Dentists] Information series, as Guideline brochures, journal contributions or on the ZZQ website only.

The ZZQ is a member of the German Society of Dento-Maxillo-Facial Sciences (DGZMK), the German Network for Evidence Based Medicine (DNEbM) and the Guidelines International Network (G-I-N).

The ZZQ operates as an autonomous unit within the Institute of German Dentists (IDZ).

Street address: Universitätsstr. 73, D-50931 Cologne
Postal address: Postfach 410169, D-50861 Cologne
Telephone:+49 (0)221/4001-207
Fax: +49 (0)221/4001-214
Email: zzq@zzq-koeln.de
Website: www.zzq-koeln.de