This week the Department of Health announced the creation of the Care Quality Commission which will regulate health (including dentistry) and social care by merging the majority of the functions of the Commission for Social Care Inspection, the Healthcare Commission and the Mental Health Act Commission.

This is the Government's formal response to the November 2006 consultation document The future regulation of health and adult social care in England. The government received over 100 responses from interested organisations, including the BDA, to its consultation which ran from November 2006 to February 2007. The responses can be viewed here.

A Bill will be introduced in the next session of Parliament (due to start on 6 November), accompanied by a partial impact assessment (including an equality impact assessment) analysing the costs and benefits of these proposals. Subject to the passage of this legislation, the new commission will be established in 2008.

It's envisaged that the new Care Quality Commission will be able to take rapid and appropriate action against any registered organisation, including dental practices, which puts patients or users of services at risk. The Commission will have the power to inspect, undertake investigations, issue warning notices, fine providers and even close down services.

The Department of Health says the Commission will be able to decide how and when to use the enforcement powers and will be completely independent of Government.

The detail and scope of how the regulatory body will affect dentists has yet to be worked out, including whether its remit will extend to dentists who provide treatment solely on a private basis.

This will be decided following discussions with the BDA and the GDC over the winter, according to a Department of Health spokesperson.

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