CQC dental inspection checklist
The 48 checks in Compliance UK's dental pack, grouped into 7 areas. 38 apply to every practice. The rest depend on nine yes or no questions about the practice, such as whether you take X-rays.
Decontamination (HTM 01-05)
4 checks| Check | Default schedule | Usually done by | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoclave daily tests log | Daily | Dental nurse | Regulation 12 |
| Washer-disinfector daily checks | Daily | Dental nurse | Regulation 12 |
| Ultrasonic bath foil and soil tests | Every 3 months | Dental nurse | Regulation 12 |
| Decontamination equipment validation | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
Infection prevention and control
4 checks| Check | Default schedule | Usually done by | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infection control audit (IPS) and action plan | Every 6 months | Practice manager | Regulation 12 |
| Hand hygiene audit | Every 3 months | Practice manager | Regulation 12 |
| Dental unit waterline flushing and disinfection | Daily | Dental nurse | Regulation 12 |
| Clinical waste consignment notes | Monthly | Practice manager | Regulation 12 |
Premises, fire and equipment
19 checks| Check | Default schedule | Usually done by | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legionella water temperature checks | Monthly | Any team member | Regulation 12 |
| Legionella risk assessment review | Every 2 years | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Fire alarm test log | Weekly | Any team member | Regulation 15 |
| Fire drill record | Every 6 months | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Fire risk assessment review | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| COSHH register and risk assessments | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 12 |
| Pressure vessel written scheme inspection | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Portable appliance testing (PAT) | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Electrical installation condition report (EICR) | Every 5 years | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| EICR C1 and C2 remedial works | When it happens | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Gas safety inspectionApplies if you answer yes to “Is there a gas supply at the practice?” | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Emergency lighting monthly test | Monthly | Any team member | Regulation 15 |
| Emergency lighting annual full-duration test | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Fire extinguisher visual checks | Monthly | Any team member | Regulation 15 |
| Fire extinguisher servicing | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Dental compressor servicingApplies if you answer yes to “Is there a compressor on site?” | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Suction unit servicing | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Amalgam separator servicing and wasteApplies if you answer yes to “Do you use amalgam?” | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Equipment register review | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
Medical emergencies and medicines
5 checks| Check | Default schedule | Usually done by | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency drugs, oxygen and AED checks | Weekly | Dental nurse | Regulation 12 |
| Medicines fridge temperature log | Daily | Dental nurse | Regulation 12 |
| Antimicrobial prescribing audit | Every year | Dentist | Regulation 12 |
| Medical emergency scenario training | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 18 |
| Conscious sedation audit and trainingApplies if you answer yes to “Do you offer conscious sedation?” | Every year | Dentist | Regulation 12 |
Radiation (IRR17 and IR(ME)R)
4 checks| Check | Default schedule | Usually done by | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiation local rules and RPA detailsApplies if you answer yes to “Do you take intraoral X-rays?” | Every year | Radiation protection supervisor | Regulation 12 |
| Radiograph quality assurance auditApplies if you answer yes to “Do you take intraoral X-rays?” | Every year | Dentist | Regulation 17 |
| X-ray equipment routine performance testApplies if you answer yes to “Do you take intraoral X-rays?” | Every 3 years | Radiation protection supervisor | Regulation 15 |
| X-ray critical examination reportApplies if you answer yes to “Do you take intraoral X-rays?” | When it happens | Radiation protection supervisor | Regulation 15 |
Clinical records and sharps
2 checks| Check | Default schedule | Usually done by | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical record-keeping audit | Every year | Dentist | Regulation 17 |
| Sharps risk assessment and inoculation injury protocol | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 12 |
People and governance
10 checks| Check | Default schedule | Usually done by | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff appraisals | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 18 |
| Team meeting minutes | Monthly | Practice manager | Regulation 17 |
| Patient feedback review | Every 3 months | Practice manager | Regulation 17 |
| Data Security and Protection Toolkit | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 17 |
| Disability access audit | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 15 |
| Significant event analysis | When it happens | Practice manager | Regulation 17 |
| Complaints handling | When it happens | Practice manager | Regulation 16 |
| CQC rating display at the premisesApplies if you answer yes to “Does the practice have a published CQC rating?” | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 20A |
| CQC rating display on the practice websiteApplies if you answer yes to “Does the practice have a published CQC rating?” and “Does the practice have a website?” | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 20A |
| Employer's liability insurance certificate | Every year | Practice manager | Regulation 17 |
The nine questions that decide which checks apply
You answer these about the practice when you set up Compliance UK. A yes switches on the checks listed beside it.
| Question | Checks a yes switches on |
|---|---|
| Is there a gas supply at the practice? | Gas safety inspection |
| Do you take intraoral X-rays? | Radiation local rules and RPA details, Radiograph quality assurance audit, X-ray equipment routine performance test, X-ray critical examination report |
| Do you have an OPG or CBCT machine? | None at the moment |
| Is there a compressor on site? | Dental compressor servicing |
| Do you use amalgam?This includes practices with an amalgam separator fitted. | Amalgam separator servicing and waste |
| Do you offer conscious sedation? | Conscious sedation audit and training |
| Do you have an NHS contract? | None at the moment |
| Does the practice have a published CQC rating?The CQC inspects dental practices but does not usually give them a rating. | CQC rating display at the premises, CQC rating display on the practice website |
| Does the practice have a website? | CQC rating display on the practice website |
Each practice can change the default schedules Compliance UK sets up. Compliance UK wrote this checklist as a starting point for your practice. It isn't published by the CQC.