Since April 2015, CQC recognised that Dentistry could be classed as low risk compared to other areas it covers and has introduced new fundamental standards and five key lines of enquiry. Essentially, this means all dental practices have to provide evidence they are fully compliant at all times across all five key lines of enquiry, which are:
Is this practice….
All practices are expected to be able to evidence that their policies and procedures are living, which means they are fully incorporated into the practice and that all of the staff are fully aware and conversant.
Going forward, the inspections are to be very different. For example, six weeks before an inspection takes place (and four weeks before the practice is aware that an inspection is to take place), CQC will start information gathering, which will be from sources such as:
The inspections will take all day, and the inspector, who may be accompanied by a dentist, will interview all staff members, both clinical and administrative and patients if they are prepared to be interviewed.
We are focusing on the Well-led key line of enquiry and are providing a series of one-day seminars (CPD points available) where we cover:
For more details on these seminars, please give us a call or take a look at our seminars page.
Back to Latest Articles
Find out how much your practice is worth from an expert.
Book Your Free Valuation
Whether you’re planning for the future, exploring your options or simply looking for trusted advice, our experienced team is here to help you make confident, informed decisions.
With decades of experience supporting dental professionals, we provide clear, practical advice tailored to your goals—helping you navigate every stage of practice ownership with confidence and clarity.
