As we head into 2026, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) continues to take a more rigorous, risk-based approach to regulating dental practices and businesses. While inspections remain tailored to the realities of dentistry, expectations around governance, documentation and leadership have never been higher.
In a recent Acuity Law webinar, corporate healthcare partner Jon Lawley and regulatory partner Jenny Wilde shared practical insights into how the CQC is approaching dentistry – and what practice owners should be doing now to stay compliant and protect their reputation.
You can watch the full webinar below.
“CQC inspections are no longer just about compliance – they’re about understanding the real-world consequences of falling short.”
Jon Lawley, partner, Acuity Law
A single framework, applied with sharper focus
All dental practices are assessed under the CQC’s single assessment framework, which asks whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. While dentistry has historically benefited from a lighter-touch relationship with the regulator, that position is changing.
Inspections are now increasingly risk responsive, triggered by complaints, whistleblowing, previous enforcement action or high patient turnover. Public reviews and online feedback can also contribute to the CQC’s intelligence, particularly where patterns or trends emerge.
“Dentists often expect inspections to be informal, but the CQC is focused on risk, governance and evidence – not clinical skill.”
Jenny Wilde, partner, Acuity Law
Where dental practices most often fall short
From our experience advising practices, the most common compliance issues leading to enforcement action include:
- Poor infection prevention and control
- Incomplete or inconsistent clinical and governance records
- Gaps in staff training documentation
- Weak or informal governance structures
The key message is simple: if it isn’t written down, the CQC will assume it didn’t happen. Even where good practice exists, a lack of evidence can quickly lead to adverse findings.
Why ‘well led’ matters more than ever
The well led key question underpins every inspection domain. Practices frequently struggle here, not because of poor care, but because leadership, audits and learning processes are informal or undocumented.
Repeated minor issues, particularly around infection control or training, can quickly escalate into warning notices, conditions on registration or wider enforcement action. Any enforcement outcome may also be made public, creating reputational risk even where issues are later resolved.
“Issues will arise in any practice. What matters to the CQC is whether you identify them, act on them and record that learning.”
Jenny Wilde
Preparing for inspection: practical steps
Dental practices can significantly reduce risk by:
- Keeping policies, audits and staff records up to date
- Carrying out regular internal reviews aligned to the five key questions
- Recording incidents, complaints and lessons learned
- Training staff on compliance expectations and inspection processes
- Using digital compliance systems consistently and accurately
Preparation should be ongoing. Compliance is not a one-off exercise undertaken when an inspection is announced.
Digital dentistry and emerging risks
As practices adopt digital systems and remote consultations, the CQC is paying closer attention to data security, consent and cyber risk. Practices should ensure digital governance is as robust as clinical governance, with clear accountability and staff training.
Turning inspection into insight
CQC inspections should be viewed as an opportunity to improve, not simply something to fear. Practices that demonstrate reflection, learning and momentum are consistently treated more favourably, even where concerns have previously been raised.
“The strongest practices are those that use inspection findings to drive continuous improvement, not just to avoid sanctions.”
How Acuity Law can support you
Acuity Law advises dental practices across England on CQC compliance, inspections and enforcement action. Early legal advice – particularly where enforcement action is a possibility – can help protect your practice, your reputation and your ability to operate.
