Q. CQC refer to providers. What about a practice which trades as a single entity but where all the dentists are providers, each with their own contract (rather than performers in one contract); who needs to register with CQC?

The CQC provider will usually be the same as the provider for an NHS contract, but not always. It is necessary to work out when applying who is the provider of the regulated activities. If there is more than one provider located at the same place, then if they are providing regulated activities separately, they must register separately. On the other hand, if there is one provider but there is fragmentary or blurred accountability between the individual performers within it (for example because some have brought different contracts with them when they joined the provider, or they have different arrangements with different capitation schemes, etc) then the provider will need to clarify with the performers how they are all accountable within his/her registration as the provider.

Members who need are uncertain about their own situation in a group setting are welcome to contact Dental Protection during office hours to discuss their situation with one of our 48 dento-legal advisers.

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