Regulation regulation

The regulation of the health and adult social care sector is changing and from next year, all providers of dental services will need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission as part of that change. 

The CQC is introducing a new system of registration which brings the NHS, independent healthcare and adult social care sector under a single set of essential standards of quality and safety. 

The new system of registration has been set out by the health department under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, under which the providers of dental services will need to be registered with CQC by April 1, 2011. 

Registration is, in effect, a provider’s licence to operate. It means people can expect providers to meet essential standards of safety and quality that respects their dignity and rights. 

One of the key purposes of registration is to give the public assurance and information with all up-to-date information on CQC findings on providers to be hosted on its website from April next year.