CQC Compliance Changes Dental Practices Must Prepare for in 2025

The CQC’s new approach is landing fast, and dental practices need to be ready. Below is information on what’s changing and what to act on now.

What’s changing?

1. New single assessment frameworkThe old KLOEs are gone. The CQC now assesses against 34 Quality Statements across Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. You’ll need to show how you meet each one,  not just point to a policy. 

The old KLOEs are gone. The CQC now assesses practices against 34 Quality Statements, you will need to provide evidence that the practice operates in a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led way, the written policies are no longer enough.

2. No overall ratingInstead of an overall rating, each Quality Statement is marked as “met” or “not all met”. Gaps anywhere can affect your outcomes.

3. More real-time monitoringCQC is relying more on data, feedback and people’s experience, not just inspections. Ongoing compliance matters more than ever.

4. Core regulations stay putRegistration rules and fundamental standards aren’t going anywhere, they continue to underpin compliance.

What to do now

1. Map yourself against the 34 statementsRun a quick gap check and identify where evidence is thin.

2. Tighten your documentationMake sure policies, training records, audits and patient-feedback systems are current and actually used.

3. Strengthen culture and leadershipYour team needs to know the framework and their role in it. Leadership and engagement will carry more weight in inspections.

4. Use feedback as proofShow how patient or staff feedback leads to improvements.

5. Keep the basics sharpStay on top of registration, notifications, infection control, safeguarding and routine governance.

Why it matters

A proactive approach protects patient safety, reduces inspection stress and keeps your practice reputation strong. The 2025 framework is about continuous quality, not box-ticking and early preparation puts you firmly in control.