CQC finds dentistry to be offering low risk, high quality care

The latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) State of Care report has found that 88% of dental practices are meeting regulations.

The report found 111 dental practices (10% of those inspected) ‘required action’, and the CQC took enforcement action against 2% of those inspected (22 practices).

It also found that 100% of the practices inspected had met the tests for ‘caring’ and ‘responsive’ to their patient’s needs.

‘The latest CQC report represents another ringing endorsement for good practice in our profession, in spite of the huge challenges we face,’ Mick Armstrong, chair of the British Dental Association, said.

‘Once again we see patients are at less risk when they visit their dentist than they are with most other healthcare professionals.

‘Their teams have found dentists are providing low risk, high quality care, and where fault has been found practitioners have been willing to act quickly and solve problems.

‘Dedicated colleagues continue to provide a committed service, without a penny of Government investment and in the face of an unprecedented collapse in earnings.

‘Our patients deserve the highest quality care, and colleagues are having to subsidise it out of their own pockets.’

Key findings

  • Overall the CQC inspected 1,131 dental practices in 2016/17
  • 100% of practices were found to be caring, where staff involve and treat people with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect
  • 100% of practices were also found to be responsive, meaning their services are organised to meet patient’s needs
  • 99% of the practices inspected were found to be effective, which means where care, treatment and support achieves good outcomes, promotes a good quality of life and is based on the best available evidence
  • 96% of the practices inspected were found to be safe, where people are protected from abuse and avoidable harm
  • 89% of the practices were found to be well-led, meaning leadership, management and governance of the organisation assures the delivery of high-quality person-centred care, supports learning and innovation, and promotes an open and fair culture
  • Of the practices inspected, 88% required no action (998), with 2% requiring enforcement action
  • Community dental services were found to be offering the highest quality of care in the community services, 66% of services rated as good and 22% as outstanding.
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