Clinical Governance Essentials

What’s Included

1-hour verifiable CPD (self-directed)

Full set of module slides and reading materials

Downloadable governance checklist and compliance template

Case studies linking governance to real dental practice scenarios

Course Overview

Clinical governance is the framework that ensures safe, high-quality, and accountable dental care. It brings together compliance, patient safety, continuous improvement, and team responsibility under one clear structure. For UK practices, understanding clinical governance is essential to meeting CQC, NHS, and GDC requirements.

This self-directed CPD course introduces you to the seven pillars of clinical governance and shows how they apply in a dental practice setting. You’ll learn how governance links to everyday systems — from record-keeping to risk management — and how to build a culture of safety and improvement.

Earlier tutor-led programmes (such as those developed by Glenys Bridges) covered this topic in workshops. This version is delivered as a modern, self-paced e-learning CPD, complete with templates, reflective activities, and practical case studies.

Course Fee

£xxx (incl. VAT)

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Strengthen your knowledge of clinical governance to support compliance, improve care, and lead with confidence.

Certification

CPD certificate upon successful completion of the quiz

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Who Is This Course For?

Practice Managers overseeing compliance and governance systems

Dentists, Hygienists, and Therapists responsible for patient care quality

Dental Nurses and Reception teams supporting governance processes

Anyone in dentistry preparing for CQC inspection or compliance audits

What You'll Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Define clinical governance and explain its importance in dentistry
Describe the seven pillars of clinical governance and their application
Understand the role of leadership and team culture in governance
Link clinical governance to CQC inspections and GDC standards
Identify how governance underpins patient safety and quality of care
Apply governance principles to everyday dental practice tasks
Recognise common challenges in governance and strategies to overcome them
Reflect on your own role in supporting a governance-driven workplace

Course Modules

Module 1 – Introduction to Clinical Governance: Definitions, history, and relevance to dentistry.
Module 2 – The Seven Pillars Explained: Clinical effectiveness, risk management, patient involvement, staff management, education, audit, information.
Module 3 – Leadership & Culture: How managers and clinicians embed governance principles in daily practice.
Module 4 – Governance in Action: Examples of governance through audits, complaints handling, and compliance tasks.
Module 5 – Regulation & Standards: Links to CQC Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs), NHS frameworks, and GDC expectations.
Module 6 – Continuous Improvement: Using governance to drive learning, reflection, and team growth.

GDC Development Outcomes

B: Effective management and leadership
C: Maintenance and development of knowledge and skills
D: Maintaining skills, knowledge, and professional behaviours

Clinical Governance in Dentistry