I am a first-time buyer. Which CQC applications will I need in place to facilitate my dental practice purchase?

Preparing a CQC application takes time and careful planning, thus the first application is needed to show that the buyer meets the necessary CQC’s standards.

You will need a DBS check dated within the last six months, and it must be countersigned by the CQC.

Do note that a standard DBS check will not be accepted; you need to make sure you have the CQC-countersigned DBS check before you submit your application.

The first CQC application transfers the practice into a partnership between the seller and buyer. Once the sale is complete, a second application is needed to end the partnership and register the buyer as the sole provider.

How long do CQC applications take from start to finish?

The CQC recognises that the application process is length, and they recommend allowing 7 to 8 hours to complete the application; rest assured, this level of scrutiny is intended to ensure that approved dentists are suitable.

After you submit your application, the CQC usually takes around 10 weeks to review it, but it can also take up to 14 weeks.

Another thing to consider is that gathering the required documents can also take time.

For example, the DBS check can take up to six weeks and must be completed before you apply. Only DBS checks from the last six months are accepted.

Submitting your CQC application too early can result in rejection; therefore, your registration timing should match your purchase timeline.

The CQC may agree to extend your application if there are delays, but only for a limited period; your legal advisor can help you decide when to apply.

What is a CQC comfort letter & why is this so important to transactions that involve an NHS contract?

A sales and transfer position statement, or comfort letter, helps facilitate the sale of a dental practice from the seller to the buyer.

When a dental practice is sold, a temporary partnership is set up between the seller and the buyer.

At the same time, a proposal to remove the seller can be made, and the CQC then issues a comfort letter confirming that, upon completion of the sale, the GDS partnership will be registered without further requirements.

The comfort letter is essential because it allows the temporary partnership to be created without putting the NHS contract at risk.

NHS England will not transfer the contract to the partnership without receiving the CQC comfort letter.

Talk to Orwins for legal guidance on CQC applications

CQC applications are a critical part of any dental practice acquisition, particularly when NHS contracts are involved.

Whether it is ensuring the correct DBS checks are in place or timing applications correctly and securing the necessary comfort letter, each stage must be handled with precision.

Because the process is tightly regulated, even small errors in sequencing or documentation can have significant consequences for completion.

We advise you to seek early legal and regulatory guidance so that your application is correctly prepared, properly timed, and fully compliant; to do just that, talk to our solicitors at Orwins today.