"Being a Dental Peer Reviewer is rewarding as you contribute to patient safety and support dental practices."

What is a peer reviewer? Peer reviewers are health professionals from a range of specialisms across Wales. They usually form part of a team and their knowledge and expertise ensure our work is based on current practice and experience. This work is carried out in person or at times on a remote basis.

Name: Ali Jahanfar

Job Title: Practice Owner and Clinical Dental Lead for HIW

Location: Castle Street Dental Practice, Tredegar

Career background: I studied dentistry in Sweden, qualifying as a dentist in 1996. I came to the UK in 1997, working as an associate in various valleys-based practices. I became a practice owner in 2009, expanding to a second practice in 2024. In 2014, I became a Peer Reviewer and in 2017 took on the role of Clinical Dental Lead

What made you decide to become a peer reviewer?

I decided to apply to be a peer reviewer as I felt it would be a good opportunity for professional development and I felt I had something to offer due to may varied dental experiences. I have always found it rewarding to support my dental colleagues, and the role of peer reviewer would allow me to continue to do this. As a dentist, my focus is always to provide the highest standard of care for my patients. Being a peer reviewer, and conducting inspections, would allow me to improve the level of dental care for patients across Wales.

Can you describe to us the work you do as a peer reviewer? 

As part of an inspection team, I visit practices and conduct inspections, that usually take up to a full day to complete. The inspections themselves review a practice against the Private Dentistry regulations (2017) for private practices and Health and Care Quality Standards (2023) for NHS practices.  During the inspection, I record my findings in a designated peer reviewer workbook. Evidence of both good practice and areas of improvement are noted.

Throughout the inspection, there is a constant dialogue between the inspection manager, practice owner/manager and myself. At the end of the inspection, verbal feedback is given to the practice owner/manager, by the peer reviewer and the inspection manager. 

A draft inspection report is written by the inspection manager, and it is reviewed, and amended if needed, by the peer reviewer.

How rewarding is the role? And how does this position contribute to HIW’s priorities?

The role is rewarding as you are contributing to patient safety and supporting dental practices. You contribute towards HIW priorities as you are part of the inspection team. We inspect and report on dental practices in three different areas: Quality of patient experience, delivery of safe and effective care and quality of management and leadership. 

What do you enjoy the most about the role?

I enjoy visiting different dental practices, speaking to staff about their roles and responsibilities at the practice. I also enjoy supporting the dental teams to address any identified issues. It is also important to highlight good/best practice and make the dental team aware when they are providing excellent and safe care to their patients. 

What skills or characteristics would you say best suit the role?

You must have good communication skills, the ability to be objective and be able to work as part of a team. You also need to be approachable and be able to offer support and guidance to the dental teams. 

What are some of the challenges you face as a peer reviewer?

The challenges can be discussing the need for improvement in certain areas with the practice owner or manager. When addressing these areas of improvement, the conversation needs to be handled in an objective, professional way, but also, it must be done in a constructive and approachable way. 

What advice would you give to someone considering this role?

It is a very rewarding role and offers a great experience, so if you are thinking of applying then have a go!

If you could sum up the role in three words, what would they be?

We currently have several peer reviewer vacancies, if you would like to be part of a small organisation, with a big job to do, we would like to hear from you.

Full details of the vacancies and details of how to apply can be found on our vacancies page.