Dental CQC Mock Inspection
Find out where your dental practice stands before CQC does
A CQC inspection tests more than your paperwork. Inspectors want to see that your decontamination, radiography, medical emergency arrangements and governance work properly every day, and that your team can explain how.
I offer dental CQC mock inspections that combine an evidence review, observations and conversations with your team, all set against CQC's current assessment approach. I spent more than 12 years as a CQC inspector and I have also managed a dental practice, so I understand both what CQC looks for and how a busy surgery really runs.
You get an honest picture of what is working well, where you need stronger assurance, and what to fix first.
Who it's for
This service is for dental practice owners, principal dentists and practice managers in England who:
✓ are expecting a CQC inspection and want an independent check first
✓ have had a recent inspection with concerns they need to address
✓ have new management, new staff or new systems and want assurance that they work
✓ want a regular, objective review as part of their own governance
✓ are opening a new practice and want to test readiness once they are up and running (for help with the registration itself, see my CQC registration support for dental practices)
NHS, private and mixed practices are all welcome.
What's included
1. Radiography and radiation safety
I check your Local Rules, radiation risk assessment, equipment test records, training, and justification and grading of images against IRR17 and IR(ME)R.
2. Medical emergencies and emergency drugs
I check your emergency drugs and equipment, the checking records, staff training and whether your team know what to do in an emergency.
3. Complaints and incidents
I look at how you record, investigate and learn from complaints, incidents and significant events, including how you meet the duty of candour.
4. Prescription pad and medicines security
I review how you store, log and track prescription pads and how medicines kept on site are stored and monitored.
5. Governance and audits
I assess your leadership, policies, audit cycle and how you act on audit findings to improve the service.
6. The five key questions
I test how your evidence holds up against the five key questions under the Single Assessment Framework: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
Areas we look at
Infection control and HTM 01-05
I check that your decontamination and infection control arrangements meet HTM 01-05 and are followed consistently in practice.
• Decontamination process from dirty to clean, including room layout, workflow and instrument storage
• Daily and periodic testing, validation and maintenance records for autoclaves and washer-disinfectors
• Six-monthly infection prevention and control audits and the actions taken from them
• Sharps safety, clinical waste segregation and Legionella risk assessment and water monitoring
​• Staff infection control training and evidence of hepatitis B immunity for clinical staff
Safeguarding
I check that your team can recognise and respond to concerns about children and adults at risk.
• Safeguarding policies with up-to-date local authority contact details
• A named safeguarding lead and clear routes for raising concerns
• Safeguarding training at the right level for each role
​• Staff awareness of how to act on a concern, including what to record
Recruitment
I sample staff files to check that you hold the information required under Schedule 3 of the regulations.
• Photo ID and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks at the right level
• Satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous employment and references
• A full employment history with any gaps explained
• Health and immunisation information relevant to the role
​• Induction records for new staff
Premises and equipment
​I check that your premises are safe and your equipment is properly maintained.
• Fire risk assessment, fire safety checks and staff fire training
• Pressure vessel inspection for the autoclave and compressor
• Servicing of dental chairs, suction and the amalgam separator
• Electrical safety and any other servicing your premises need, such as the lift if you have one
• Health and safety and COSHH risk assessments
How it works
1. Scope and preparation
We discuss your practice, any previous CQC findings, known concerns and where you need the most support. We agree the scope and I request the most relevant evidence.
2. Evidence review
I review a proportionate sample of your policies, audits, risk assessments, staff records and governance information. I check whether documents are current, specific to your practice and actually used.
3. On-site visit and team discussions
Where an on-site review is included, I look at your surgeries, decontamination room and safety systems, and I talk to clinicians, nurses, reception staff and leaders about how procedures work in practice.
4. Feedback and improvement plan
I compare what is documented, what I see and what staff tell me. You get clear feedback and a written report with a prioritised action plan, so the most urgent risks are dealt with first.
What you get
A clear written report
A summary of what is working well, where you need more assurance and where there are gaps, organised around the five key questions and the dental areas reviewed.
A prioritised action plan
Practical, proportionate actions ranked by their potential impact on patients, regulatory risk and urgency. No unnecessary paperwork, just the steps that will make a real difference.
Pricing
You can find more on my approach and other review options on the CQC compliance support and mock inspections page.
Why me
✓ Former CQC inspector: more than 12 years' inspection experience, including as a lead inspector. I know how inspectors weigh evidence and spot gaps.
✓ Dental practice management experience: I have managed a dental practice, so my advice works for a real surgery with real time pressures.
✓ Honest and balanced: I tell you what is going well as well as what needs work.
✓ Practical and risk-based: I focus on the changes that matter most rather than producing piles of paperwork.
What dental clients say
"Liam successfully implemented a new infection control system at a practice I was based at, and has also project managed many other aspects too. He has demonstrated excellent knowledge, giving advice in a friendly and non judgemental manner. I don’t think there are any aspects of a dentistry inspection, or compliance issues, that Liam will not be able to handle! Thanks for your help and support."
Dr. Katie Suarez, Dentist
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"I can’t recommend CQC Consultancy highly enough! They provided invaluable support with our CQC compliance, policies and staff training, making what can often feel like a complicated and overwhelming process much more manageable."
Dr Anu, Principal Dentist and owner
Ready to check your practice is inspection-ready?
Tell me about your practice, any recent challenges and what you want to achieve. I'll recommend the level of support that fits.
Frequently asked questions
Can you guarantee my practice will pass its CQC inspection?
No. Dental practices are not given a rating by CQC. Inspectors decide whether the practice is meeting the standards in each area they look at. Nobody can guarantee that outcome, but I can give you an independent, honest view of where you stand and a clear plan to strengthen your evidence and practice.
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Do you look at HTM 01-05 and radiography in detail?
Yes. Decontamination and radiation safety are central to dental inspections, so I review your HTM 01-05 arrangements and your IRR17 and IR(ME)R compliance as standard, within the scope we agree.
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Will the mock inspection disrupt patient care?
I plan the visit with you to keep disruption to a minimum. Team discussions are kept short and arranged around your clinics wherever possible.
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Should I choose a virtual review or an on-site mock inspection?
A virtual review suits practices that mainly want their documents and evidence checked. An on-site mock inspection also covers your premises, decontamination room, emergency equipment and team knowledge, which gives you a fuller picture. I'm happy to talk it through and recommend the right option.
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Are you part of CQC?
No. CQC Consultancy is an independent, private advisory service and is not the Care Quality Commission. My findings are a snapshot based on the evidence available, designed to help you find strengths and areas for improvement.
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CQC Consultancy is a private advisory service and is not the Care Quality Commission. Our findings do not guarantee specific outcomes. Guidance and regulatory methods may change, so please refer to official CQC sources for the latest updates.