New style reports

Since December CQC has been testing a new approach to the inspection of dental practices, using specially trained inspectors accompanied by dental advisors. In line with CQC's other inspections, reports focus on whether services provided are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. Unlike other regulated sectors, primary care dental services will not be given a rating in 2015/16.

The publication of the first 12 reports coincides with the appointment of John Milne, a practising dentist in West Yorkshire and former Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, as CQC's new senior national dental advisor.

CQC will use the learning from these new inspections, along with feedback from recent consultation, to develop its methodology which will be fully implemented from April 1.  

Over the next 12 months, CQC expects to inspect 10 per cent of England’s 10,000 dental practices. Dentists will be randomly selected for inspection but will always include those practices that present a risk or concern raised by the public or key stakeholders, as well as those providing high quality services for the public.

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services, said: "We know that the quality of care provided by most dentists is of an acceptable standard, and that is reflected in this first batch of reports which is published today.

"In comparison with the other sectors which CQC regulate, our experience tells us that generally, dental services present a lower risk to patients’ safety. We therefore intend to inspect 10 per cent of practices in the coming year. 

“However good the general picture, we cannot be complacent. In the first years of inspection, CQC did identify some examples of unacceptable standards of care. Our main priority must be to ensure that we protect the public from unsafe care by continuing to inspect against the regulations and taking action if we identify any concerns."

Full reports on all 12 inspections are available at: http://www.cqc.org.uk