Private Dentistry (Wales) Regulations 2016 – changes to the way dentists are regulated
Welsh Government are proposing to change the way dentists and private dental services are regulated with the new Private Dentistry (Wales) 2016 Regulations.
The Welsh Government is consulting on the proposed changes to the way dentists and private dental services in Wales are regulated.
In the new draft regulations:
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the person who carries on or manages the dental practice where private dental services are provided will be required to register with ourselves. In effect this will mean that the practice as a whole is registered with us and subject to the 2016 Regulations;
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Dental Care Professionals who provide private direct access dental treatment from their own premises will be required to register their practice with us and the practice will be subject to the 2016 Regulations;
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dental practices where private dental services are provided will be required to have quality and safety arrangements in place which are more consistent with those required by the NHS;
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requirements for DBS checks will be aligned with those required by the NHS and will also include checks for other members of the dental team such as dental nurses, dental hygienists and dental therapists; and
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a person who carries on or manages a private dental practice in which lasers are used will only be required to register under the 2016 Regulations.
It is planned that the 2016 Regulations will come into force during July 2016. There will be a period of no more than one year for dental practices to apply to register with us although private DCP direct access practices which are not currently registered should register as soon as the Regulations come into force.
The closing date for responses to this consultation is Friday 22 April. We will contact those who will be affected by the changes following the outcome of the consultation period.
Further information on this consultation can be found on the Welsh Government website.
