How to prepare for a CQC dental inspection
What to look at before an inspection, in order, with links to the dental pack's checks.
Know what the CQC assesses
The CQC uses its single assessment framework: 5 key questions and 34 quality statements, plus the fundamental standards. The CQC inspects dental practices but does not usually give them a rating.
List the checks that apply to your practice
The dental pack has 48 recurring checks. Some only apply when the answer to one of these questions is yes:
- Is there a gas supply at the practice?
- Do you take intraoral X-rays?
- Is there a compressor on site?
- Do you use amalgam?
- Do you offer conscious sedation?
- Does the practice have a published CQC rating?
- Does the practice have a website?
Bring each area's records up to date
Work through the areas one at a time and find the latest record for every check.
- Decontamination (HTM 01-05): 4 checks
- Infection prevention and control: 4 checks
- Premises, fire and equipment: 19 checks
- Medical emergencies and medicines: 5 checks
- Radiation (IRR17 and IR(ME)R): 4 checks
- Clinical records and sharps: 2 checks
- People and governance: 10 checks
Check your policies
Each policy should be adopted, within its review date and signed by the team. The dental policy pack lists about 30.
Check every person's credentials
Confirm the 8 staff credentials are in date for each person, from GDC registration to IR(ME)R training.
Check the equipment register
Every item in the equipment register should have its service and test records in date.
Hold a mock inspection
Go through it all in framework order, as described in how to run a mock CQC inspection.