You must register with the CQC if you carry on any of the activities that it regulates. The full list of regulated activities are described in the CQC’s scope of practice but those relating to dentistry are generally limited to diagnostic and screening procedures, surgical procedures and treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
You must apply for registration if you are starting a new dental practice or taking over an existing practice or wish to vary an existing registration – for example, changing from an individual provider to a partnership or becoming a limited company.
The registration process can take several months and requires considerable preparation, including checks to prove that you are not barred from working with children and at-risk adults, and, in line with the CQC’s requirements, ensuring your services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
This advice is based on the provider application form (July 2018) and the registered manager application form (May 2018).