CQC inspectors publish more reports on dental practices

The Care Quality Commission has published a further four reports on the quality of care provided by dental practices that have been inspected under its new approach.

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.

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.

Prof 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 batch of reports which is published today.

"If we find that a dental practice is failing to meet the required standard – we will expect them to provide us with a full plan setting out how they will address the issue, and we will return to check that they have made the required improvements.

“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 four inspections are available on this website. The practices are listed below by local CCG area.

• Seabank Dental Practice, Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral
• Talking Teeth Ince, Wigan Borough
• Marlborough Medical Practice Dental Services, Wiltshire
• Clock Tower Dental Practice, Devon

Ends

For media enquiries, call the CQC press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours or out of hours on 07789 876508. For general enquiries, call 03000 61 61 61.