Compliance UK

How to run a mock CQC inspection at a dental practice

A mock inspection is a dry run you hold yourself, going through the practice the way the CQC's framework is ordered. Here is a method and a template built from the dental pack's checks.

The steps

  1. List the checks that apply to you. Start from the 48 checks and answer the 9 yes or no questions about the practice, such as whether you take X-rays or have a gas supply. Some checks only apply when the answer is yes.
  2. Go key question by key question. Take the 5 key questions in the order the CQC lists them (safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led). Under each one, take the quality statements in turn.
  3. For each statement, open the checks mapped to it. The template below lists them. Find the latest record for each check and confirm it was done on schedule.
  4. Check the readings in each log. For logs with readings, such as autoclave tests or fridge temperatures, look at each reading against its valid range.
  5. Check policies and staff credentials. Confirm each policy is adopted, in date for review and signed by the team. Every staff credential should be in date too.
  6. Write down what's missing and who will fix it. For each gap, agree a date to fix it by. Check it again once it's done.

Mock inspection template

Every quality statement that has dental checks mapped to it, in framework order, with the checks to look at and the evidence each one keeps.

Mock CQC inspection template for dental practices
Key questionQuality statementChecks and evidence
Safe Learning culture Team meeting minutes (document or certificate)
Significant event analysis (document or certificate)
Safe Involving people to manage risks Legionella risk assessment review (document or certificate)
Fire risk assessment review (document or certificate)
COSHH register and risk assessments (document or certificate)
EICR C1 and C2 remedial works (document or certificate)
Sharps risk assessment and inoculation injury protocol (photo)
Safe Safe environments Decontamination equipment validation (document or certificate)
Legionella water temperature checks (signed log)
Legionella risk assessment review (document or certificate)
Fire alarm test log (signed log)
Fire drill record (checklist)
Fire risk assessment review (document or certificate)
COSHH register and risk assessments (document or certificate)
Pressure vessel written scheme inspection (document or certificate)
Portable appliance testing (PAT) (document or certificate)
Electrical installation condition report (EICR) (document or certificate)
EICR C1 and C2 remedial works (document or certificate)
Gas safety inspection (document or certificate)
Emergency lighting monthly test (signed log)
Emergency lighting annual full-duration test (document or certificate)
Fire extinguisher visual checks (checklist)
Fire extinguisher servicing (document or certificate)
Dental compressor servicing (document or certificate)
Suction unit servicing (document or certificate)
Amalgam separator servicing and waste (document or certificate)
Equipment register review (checklist)
Radiation local rules and RPA details (photo)
X-ray equipment routine performance test (document or certificate)
X-ray critical examination report (document or certificate)
Disability access audit (document or certificate)
Safe Safe and effective staffing Medical emergency scenario training (document or certificate)
Staff appraisals (document or certificate)
Safe Infection prevention and control Autoclave daily tests log (signed log)
Washer-disinfector daily checks (signed log)
Ultrasonic bath foil and soil tests (checklist)
Decontamination equipment validation (document or certificate)
Infection control audit (IPS) and action plan (document or certificate)
Hand hygiene audit (checklist)
Dental unit waterline flushing and disinfection (signed log)
Clinical waste consignment notes (document or certificate)
Suction unit servicing (document or certificate)
Sharps risk assessment and inoculation injury protocol (photo)
Safe Medicines optimisation Emergency drugs, oxygen and AED checks (signed log)
Medicines fridge temperature log (signed log)
Antimicrobial prescribing audit (document or certificate)
Conscious sedation audit and training (document or certificate)
Effective Delivering evidence-based care and treatment Conscious sedation audit and training (document or certificate)
Clinical record-keeping audit (document or certificate)
Effective Monitoring and improving outcomes Infection control audit (IPS) and action plan (document or certificate)
Antimicrobial prescribing audit (document or certificate)
Radiograph quality assurance audit (document or certificate)
Clinical record-keeping audit (document or certificate)
Effective Consent to care and treatment Clinical record-keeping audit (document or certificate)
Caring Responding to people's immediate needs Emergency drugs, oxygen and AED checks (signed log)
Medical emergency scenario training (document or certificate)
Caring Workforce wellbeing and enablement Staff appraisals (document or certificate)
Responsive Providing information CQC rating display at the premises (photo)
CQC rating display on the practice website (photo)
Responsive Listening to and involving people Patient feedback review (document or certificate)
Complaints handling (document or certificate)
Responsive Equity in access Disability access audit (document or certificate)
Well-led Shared direction and culture Team meeting minutes (document or certificate)
Well-led Governance, management and sustainability Equipment register review (checklist)
Data Security and Protection Toolkit (document or certificate)
CQC rating display at the premises (photo)
CQC rating display on the practice website (photo)
Employer's liability insurance certificate (photo)
Well-led Learning, improvement and innovation Radiograph quality assurance audit (document or certificate)
Patient feedback review (document or certificate)
Significant event analysis (document or certificate)
Well-led Environmental sustainability Clinical waste consignment notes (document or certificate)
Amalgam separator servicing and waste (document or certificate)

Doing it in Compliance UK

In Compliance UK, review the evidence tagged to each quality statement as you work through this guide. A shareable PDF pack and inspector link are planned and are not available yet.