Registration requirements for providers of dental services

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has announced that it is publishing a new guidance on registration to help support primary dental providers preparing to apply for registration under new legislation.

The new guidance provides more information on the application process, which has been refined following a series of pilot projects. CQC is expecting applications from more than 8,500 providers.

Providers of dental services will need to soon start applying for registration with CQC. It is expected that all providers will be registered from 1 April 2011.

Providers only need to apply for registration once. A large amount of applications is expected and so providers will be put into groups with each group given an application window within which to apply. Dental services will be registered against new essential standards of quality and safety that apply across the care sector.

The new system is intended to focus on outcomes and the experiences the CQC expects people to have, rather than on policies and processes. The aim of registration is that people can expect services to meet essential standards of quality, to protect their safety and to respect their dignity and rights wherever care is provided, wherever they live.

This type of regulation is very new to the dental sector and it is hoped (and intended) that the CQC will publish regular updates on their website.

For more information on legal services for dentists, please contact Rick Smyth or Stephen McElhone.