Buying a Dental Practice in Wales? Correct Registration is Crucial

Our healthcare team specialises in dental practice transactions and we are well-versed in dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s to ensure the process runs smoothly.

One issue buyers must be aware of is the need to ensure that the correct registration with the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) is in place from the date of completion.

The Private Dentistry (Wales) Regulations 2017 came into force on 1 April 2017 requiring private dental practices in Wales, including those practices who provide both NHS and private dental services, to be registered with HIW.

The person, partnership or organisation that provides the private dental services must be registered with HIW from the date they start providing the dental services at the practice (i.e. from the completion date of the purchase). The practice must also have a registered manager to manage the regulated services on a daily basis under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000.

Before submitting an application to register with HIW, a buyer must have the following:

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) Check that has been issued within the last 3 years
• Two personal references for the proposed registered manager
• A set of policies and procedures
• A statement of purpose
• A patient information leaflet

HIW may also carry out an assessment on the practice building to make sure it is fit for carrying out the dental services before finalising the application.

HIW can take up to around 16 weeks to process the application so prudent purchasers should submit the application during the early stages of the transaction to avoid a delayed completion date.

Failure to register correctly may result in HIW taking enforcement action, including, but not limited to, prosecution, a fine, imprisonment or the closure of the practice.

For further information please contact one of our local offices below…

• Swansea: 01792 773773
• Cardiff: 02920 225472
• Carmarthen: 01267 234022
• Caerphilly: 02920 860628
• Cowbridge: 01446 771742
• Haverfordwest: 01437 764723
• Fishguard: 01348 873671