Q. The CQC has said that they will be inviting practice registrations in a series of windows from October 2010 onwards. I have booked a three-week cruise this winter do you know;

• What notice will providers be given of their window?

• What will happen if a provider misses their window?

The CQC has told Dental Protection that deadlines for submitting applications will be notified with at least 28 days notice to all providers whose details they have, and there will be a common deadline which we will publicise for all others. The precise method of inviting application for registration will be based on their operational capacity - not, for example, taking the "easiest" ones first. CQC has told DPL that if a provider misses their deadline, it will be at their risk: they will lose their place in the queue and although CQC will use their best endeavours, they are unable to guarantee to complete applications by 1 April 2011 in these cases. Where an application is still undecided on 1 April, those who met their deadline will be immune from prosecution, but those who missed their deadline will not lawfully be able to trade. Should members find themselves in this unfortunate situation they should contact Dental Protection at the earliest opportunity

Keep up to date with Dental Protection’s advice regarding developments at CQC by regularly checking our website page