DBS guidance for private dental practices and private direct access practices
To register with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) as a private dental practice, The Registration of Private Dentistry (Wales) Regulations 2017 states that an original enhanced DBS certificate that has been issued within the previous 3 years for the purposes of dentistry for the Registered Manager/s and the Responsible Individual/s must accompany an application.
The application for the DBS check does not have to be countersigned by HIW. If subscribed to the Update Service you will be required to submit a copy of the original DBS certificate and permission to check the status online.
DBS checks can be carried out by applying with an umbrella body. DBS umbrella bodies can be found at Find a DBS umbrella body company - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Staff who may have contact with vulnerable adults and/or children also require an enhanced DBS check carried out within the last 3 years. A standard check is sufficient for those that do not.
Private dental practices will need to put their own arrangements in place for undertaking DBS checks for those who work at the practice and confirmation must be provided upon application that all staff have DBS checks.
Guidance to help you decide whether a role is eligible for a basic, standard or enhanced DBS check.
The law
The Care Standards Act 2000 is the overarching legislation that applies.
The Registration of Private Dentistry (Wales) Regulations 2017 sets out the information required when applying to register as a private dental practice.
The Private Dentistry (Wales) Regulations 2017
Regulations 9, 11 and 18 and Schedule 3 require that any persons carrying on or managing or working at a private dental practice have a DBS check.
There is no specific requirement in the Regulations stating that a DBS certificate must be renewed. However, there is an ongoing requirement that workers remain ‘fit’ (Regulation 18 and Schedule 3). Upon registration and at inspection we need to be satisfied that private dental practices have a system in place for ensuring workers remain ‘fit’. Particular attention is drawn to having a system in place for assessing an individual’s integrity and good character (Regulation 18 and Part 2 of Schedule 3).
Regulation 14 requires that private dental practices make suitable arrangements for safeguarding patients from abuse and improper treatment. Regulation 16 requires risks relating to health, welfare and safety of staff and patients are identified, assessed and managed. Private dental practices need to demonstrate how they are meeting these requirements.