The Private Dentistry (Wales) Regulations 2017

Staffing

17.—(1) The registered person must, having regard to the nature of the private dental practice, the statement of purpose and the number and needs of patients—

(a) ensure that at all times suitably qualified, skilled and experienced persons are working in or for the purposes of the private dental practice in such numbers as are appropriate for the health, welfare and safety of the patients; and

(b) ensure that the employment of any persons on a temporary basis in or for the purposes of the private dental practice will not prevent patients from receiving such continuity of care as is reasonable to meet their needs.

(2) The registered person must ensure that each dentist or dental care professional working in or for the purposes of the private dental practice is registered with the General Dental Council.

(3) The registered person must ensure that each person employed in or for the purposes of the private dental practice—

(a) receives appropriate training and supervision;

(b) is enabled from time to time to obtain further training appropriate to their role;

(c) is provided with a job description outlining the person’s responsibilities;

(d) has a written contract; and

(e) has access to processes which enable them to raise, in confidence and without prejudice to their employment, concerns over any aspect of service delivery, treatment or management.

(4) The registered person must ensure that each person employed in or for the purposes of the private dental practice receives regular and appropriate appraisals and must take such steps as may be necessary to address any aspect of—

(a) a dentist or dental care professional’s clinical practice; or

(b) the performance of a member of staff who is not a dentist or dental care professional,

which is found to be unsatisfactory.

(5) The registered person must take reasonable steps to ensure that any persons working in or for the purposes of the private dental practice who are not employed by the registered person and to whom paragraph (3) does not apply are appropriately supervised while carrying out their duties to ensure patients’ health, welfare and safety are not compromised.