Regulatory compliance is no easy matter, and it is a task that gets more and more difficult. Not only is there the burden of the CQC for practices based in England, but there are also other bodies such as the HSE, DoH and various local authorities. Even your practice website comes under the scrutiny of regulators, with not only the CQC and GDC taking an interest but the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) too.
Given the depth and complexity of regulations within modern dentistry it is no wonder that many people won’t know where to start. With so many details to cover and boxes to tick it can be easy to make a mistake, or neglect something in the rush of getting to scratch.
Compliance support
Thankfully, help is out there and when it comes to dental compliance, there are a number of well established companies working within dentistry that have all the skills and experience to help pass any inspection with flying colours. There are a wide range of support services available and whatever help you need, there is something out there for you. Some companies will offer dedicated compliance help-lines to answer any queries you may have, while others can run interactive hands-on workshops at your practice to help your team familiarise themselves with assessment protocol and what might be expected on the day.
Helping you prepare
Some companies will even be able to run mock inspections where a certified assessor will visit your practice, and assess every area of regulatory compliance. Once the assessment is complete they will then compile a report, based on their findings and highlight areas of improvement in order to bring your practice in-line with the latest guidance and legislation.
Practice assessments can prove to be a great benefit to your team, and even if you’ve passed an inspection in the past, they give you peace of mind. So, when your real inspection comes around, you and your team will be less stressed, and completely confident that your practice is in the best shape possible to pass.
What to look for
There are many different compliance support companies out there, and it can be hard to distinguish between them. In the world of compliance, experience counts for a lot. Not only does experience show that a company has been working in the field for a long period of time, but it reflects the company’s ability to respond to changing regulations over the years.
The very best companies working in compliance will be able to demonstrate a proven record of success over many years, and will also work closely with regulators to ensure they are always up to date.
In terms of practice assessments, a compliance support company should be able to cover all relevant areas, including:
- Premises and Access
- Fire precautions/procedures
- Business Continuity
- Information governance including Data Protection
- Radiography including IRR99 and IR(ME)R2000
- Infection/Decontamination including HTM 01-05 compliance
- Foreseeable medical emergencies including resuscitation, emergency drugs provision, equipment and protocols
- Training, documentation and certificates
- Waste management/disposal, documentation and storage
- Practice policies and written procedures
- Audit of clinical records and patient outcomes including quality measures
- Record keeping
Post-assessment reports should also be detailed and clearly constructed to give you all the information you need to bring your practice up to scratch. In cases where you may need further support, the best companies will advise you on relevant services and steps you can take.
Complete peace of mind
Though it has become something of a cliché in recent years, compliance really shouldn’t be seen as a ‘box-ticking’ exercise. The practice teams that deal best with compliance are those who maintain a proactive approach and who are able to draw upon a range of compliance support services when they need them most.
Almost all dental practices will need the help of a compliance support company at one point or another, but even if you don’t need one now, it can prove incredibly reassuring to know that when you do, companies such as dbg are always on hand to give you complete help and support.
Compliance isn’t easy – it’s not supposed to be – but you don’t need to face it on your own. In the busy, world of dentistry, peace of mind is absolutely priceless. By choosing to work with a dedicated compliance support company you can be sure you will be in the best position possible come inspection day.
For more information call dbg on 01606 861 950,
Or visit www.thedbg.co.uk
*England only