How does CQC registration affect the dental nurse?
Dental practices in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission; therefore it is important that Dental Nurses should be fully aware of the government standards required for registration.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- All dental nurses should be skilled and qualified in the role that they play
- They have an obligation to ensure that all patients are treated with respect and involved in every aspect of their treatment.
- They should be able to identify risks and prevention of risks to ensure that patients are treated in a safe and secure environment free from abuse
- They should also ensure that the practice caters for the individual needs of the patient.
- Infection control is a large and important role in dental nursing and all staff should be trained with the skills to recognise risks and prevention of risks in this area.
- Dental nurses should ensure that instruments are fit for purpose before use in the surgery.
- They should ensure that all patient records be treated confidentially and stored securely and updated regularly to ensure accuracy.
- All qualified staff should be registered with their relevant professional bodies.
- They should be aware of the practices complaints procedure and how to implement this in the event of raising concerns.
- Dental nurses working in a practice should either be working towards a recognised qualification or already be qualified and registered with the General Dental Council.
- All registered dental care professionals are already compelled to complete 150 hours of continuing professional development within a five year period. On-going training and regular appraisals and monitoring should be in place to ensure updates of knowledge and skills.
- Records should be kept of staff training.
- It is the dental nurse’s duty to report any concerns regarding quality of care and standards to the appropriate body.
INSPECTIONS
Practices will be now subject to unannounced inspections by CQC representatives where it will be checked that appropriate systems and procedures are in place for the care and treatment of patients and these representatives will also talk to patients and dental staff.
WHISTLE BLOWING
Dental nurses have the obligation to follow the code of conduct set out by the General Dental Council It is their duty therefore to register any note of concern regarding the care and experience of a patient.
- Initially the complaint should at first be made internally to the manager of the practice
- If this is dealt with unsatisfactorily then they can go to an independent body such as the professional regulatory body, or the CQC, all concerns are confidential,
- Dental nurses may report concerns anonymously however they will not be able to receive feedback in this instance.
- It may however in the event of a serious concern i.e. a criminal offence, that the right to anonymity may be waived.
The National Service Centre will deal with all concerns given to the CQC. If you require further advice on whistleblowing you can find this on the website.
Further Information
CQC Booklets
What standards you have a right to expect from the regulation of your dentist
Guidance about compliance summary