Overview
To achieve RQIA compliance for dental practices in Northern Ireland, practices must meet standards across four key domains:
- Is care safe?
- Is care compassionate?
- Is care effective?
- Is the service well-led?
During an inspection, practices should be prepared to demonstrate how they meet the standards of safe, effective, compassionate, and well-led care. Inspectors will typically review a range of documentation, including staff recruitment records, training logs, clinical audits, safeguarding policies, and evidence of infection control procedures. They may observe the environment, speak with staff and patients, and assess how well the practice manages medical emergencies, radiation safety, and conscious sedation (if applicable).
Practices should ensure that all policies are up to date, that Regulation 26 reports (where applicable) are completed, and that systems are in place for handling complaints, incidents, and patient feedback. Evidence of continuous quality improvement, such as regular audits and action plans, is key.
Being inspection-ready means having clear, accessible records and a team that understands their roles and responsibilities in maintaining high standards of care.
Support for Expert members
Jump to RQIA compliance assistance for downloadable template policies and one-to-one support, specifically tailored to help you meet the requirements with confidence.
