How to stay ahead of CQC requirements

LonDEC explains why its online course is a must for dental practices wanting to stay up to date with Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements.

In today’s regulatory climate, running a dental practice means more than providing excellent clinical care – it requires demonstrating, always, that your service is safe, well-led, and compliant with national standards. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) continues to evolve its inspection approach, and staying up to date is essential not only for passing inspections, but for maintaining a smooth, confident and patient-focused practice.

For dental principals, practice managers and anyone responsible for governance, LonDEC’s online programme How to Survive a CQC Inspection offers a practical, highly relevant way to strengthen compliance, prepare your team, and eliminate guesswork ahead of an inspection. The next delivery of this live online course takes place on:

5 February 2026 – live online delivery

Book now.

Why staying up to date with CQC standards matters

CQC expectations do not stand still. Updates in inspection methodology, a greater emphasis on leadership and culture, and tighter expectations around policies, record-keeping and risk management mean that a practice that was compliant last year may fall behind without regular review.

Being up to date provides several advantages:

Confidence during inspections

Understanding how inspectors assess safety, governance, staffing and responsiveness removes uncertainty and helps practices prepare effectively.

Fewer compliance gaps

Regular training helps teams recognise early signs of non-compliance – from documentation errors to lapses in infection control.

A safer, smoother practice environment

When everyone understands protocols and responsibilities, both patient care and day-to-day operations benefit.

Protection from enforcement or reputational risk

Proactive compliance lowers the chance of receiving actions, warnings, or damaging reports.

In short, staying current is not just about passing an inspection – it’s about running a resilient, high-quality practice.

The value of industry contacts and professional support

Courses like LonDEC’s not only expand your knowledge; they also widen your professional network. Delegates regularly include practice owners, managers, clinicians and compliance leads from across the UK.

These contacts become invaluable sources of:

• Shared insight on inspection trends
• Practical examples of successful compliance systems
• Peer support when implementing improvements.

For many participants, the networking aspect is one of the most beneficial parts of the learning experience.

What the LonDEC CQC course covers

LonDEC’s How to Survive a CQC Inspection course provides a clear, structured breakdown of what dental teams need to know. The session includes:

Understanding how CQC inspections work today

Delegates learn how inspectors prepare, what they look for, and how the ‘well-led’ judgement is formed.

Current expectations for regulated activities

The course focuses on practical interpretation of the standards that apply directly to dental settings.

 Preparing for ‘fit person’ interviews

These interviews are pivotal moments for owners and managers. The course explains what inspectors typically ask and how to demonstrate leadership, oversight and governance with confidence.

Practical steps to strengthen compliance

From documentation to staff training structures, the course provides actionable methods to make your practice inspection-ready at all times.

Why choose LonDEC? A leader in dental CPD

LonDEC is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading centres for dental professional development. As part of King’s College London, the centre is known for its high teaching standards, modern facilities, and commitment to evidence-based training.

What sets LonDEC apart?

• Trusted CPD provider under a world-renowned university
• Experienced and respected educators – the CQC course is delivered by experts with genuine regulatory and clinical insight, giving delegates clarity grounded in real-world experience
• High-quality course design – content is clear, practical and geared towards immediate implementation
• Fully interactive online format – with live discussions, Q&A and guided learning, this is not a passive webinar.

For busy dental professionals, the convenience of a one-day online course combined with six hours of verifiable CPD makes it both time-efficient and highly worthwhile.

This article is sponsored by LonDEC.