Dental practices need clear ownership of two different routines: clinical decontamination managed by the practice, and environmental cleaning set out in the cleaning contract. The practice remains responsible for its infection prevention and control (IPC) arrangements. A contractor takes responsibility only for the tasks agreed in its specification.
The practical risk is the gap between the two: a task each side assumes the other is doing. A room-by-room schedule, agreed with the practice manager, makes the boundary visible and easier to check.
Keep clinical decontamination with the practice team
The clinical team manages the work that is part of patient care and the treatment chain. This includes instrument decontamination under the practice’s procedures, and cleaning or disinfecting the dental chair, equipment and clinical contact surfaces between patients.
The practice’s IPC lead retains responsibility for the practice’s IPC arrangements. Outsourcing environmental cleaning does not replace that role or transfer accountability for the clinical environment. CQD does not replace the IPC lead or clean clinical contact surfaces.
CQC guidance says dental practices should have an up-to-date IPC policy that sets out staff responsibilities, including responsibilities for cleaning clinical equipment. It also says that a cleaning contractor should have a general cleaning schedule specifying areas, fixtures, fittings and frequencies, with compliance checked regularly. Read the CQC’s dental IPC guidance.
For instrument decontamination, practices should follow the applicable procedures in NHS England’s HTM 01-05 guidance.
Specify environmental cleaning room by room
A commercial cleaning contract can cover the agreed environmental tasks around the clinical routine. Depending on the practice and the written specification, these may include:
- Reception, waiting areas and patient routes.
- Floors, skirtings, door frames and agreed non-clinical surfaces.
- Washroom cleaning and restocking.
- Staff kitchens and breakrooms.
- Offices and other agreed general areas.
- Daily touch-point sanitisation, where included in the selected plan.
The specification should describe each area, the task, its frequency, the agreed cleaning window and any exclusions. Avoid an instruction as broad as “clean the surgery”. State exactly what the cleaning team is authorised to do, and what remains with the clinical team.
For example, the practice may retain responsibility for chairside surfaces and equipment, while the contract covers agreed floors and general environmental cleaning after clinical activity has finished. The right split depends on the practice’s IPC arrangements, room use and risk assessment.
Close the gaps in the areas people notice first
Reception and waiting room. These spaces shape a patient’s first impression and have frequently touched surfaces. Specify what is cleaned, how often, and whether daily touch-point sanitisation is required. Silver and Gold include this service.
Washrooms. Bronze includes washroom cleaning and restocking. Gold adds washroom consumables fulfilment. Make clear which consumables are supplied, who monitors stock and how replenishment is arranged.
Floors. Agree the flooring type, method and frequency. Silver adds machine hard-floor cleaning; Gold adds daily machine hard-floor cleaning. Clinical areas should be included only where the method and access have been agreed with the practice.
Staff kitchen and breakroom. Decide whether the routine covers general surface cleaning only or includes deeper cleaning. Silver adds deep kitchen and breakroom cleaning.
These details remove uncertainty from the handover. The practice knows what its staff still need to do, and the cleaning team has clear instructions for the tasks it owns.
Agree the specification and how it will be checked
At a free site survey, CQD reviews the premises, access arrangements, room use and preferred cleaning times. We then agree a written specification with the practice manager so that each area has an identified owner and a defined routine.
CQC guidance expects contractor schedules to identify cleaning frequencies and says compliance should be checked. CQD’s managed approach includes supervisor oversight. The CQD supervisor audit and sign-off sheet illustrates how checks, findings, actions and sign-off can be recorded. Quality checking is part of our overall managed approach, not a Bronze, Silver or Gold package inclusion.
Make product safety and staff access part of the plan
Cleaning products and their use need appropriate safety controls. The practice and cleaning provider should agree relevant arrangements, including product information, storage, access and any site-specific requirements. CQD uses COSHH-compliant, eco-friendly products, with safety data sheets available.
The Health and Safety Executive explains how employers should assess and control risks from hazardous substances under COSHH. Its guidance on COSHH in health and social care and working with cleaning substances can help inform site arrangements.
Access and continuity matter, too. CQD assigns a dedicated two-person team to each premises. Cleaners are directly employed, DBS checked, reference verified and uniformed. Cover teams are available when a regular team member is absent. These are company-wide commitments, not package inclusions.
Start with a clear, predictable process
- Arrange a free site survey. Review rooms, access, priorities and cleaning times.
- Agree a written specification. Set out the contract tasks and the clinical tasks that remain with the practice.
- Confirm the monthly plan and price. The final fixed monthly price is confirmed after a free site assessment.
- Mobilise the service. Cleaning typically starts within 5–7 working days once the specification is agreed. The initial deep clean is included with every new subscription.
CQD can agree cleaning times with your site, including early mornings, evenings and weekends. Out-of-hours cleaning can be planned around appointments so the routine fits the practice’s working day.
Choose the level of environmental cleaning you need
| Plan | What it adds to your environmental cleaning routine | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Essential daily cleaning: vacuuming, mopping, bins, surfaces and desks, washroom cleaning and restocking. | Starting from £880 per month ex VAT (ex VAT); final price after a free site assessment. |
| Silver | Everything in Bronze; machine hard-floor cleaning; deep kitchen and breakroom cleaning; daily touch-point sanitisation; named supervisor oversight | Starting from £1,280 per month ex VAT (ex VAT); final price after a free site assessment. |
| Gold | Everything in Silver; daily machine hard-floor cleaning; washroom consumables fulfilment; regular inspection and sign-off; cover teams for staff absence | Starting from £1,680 per month ex VAT (ex VAT); final price after a free site assessment. |
These are fixed monthly plans, cancelled with 30 days’ notice to end the monthly subscription. Pricing is fixed once the site assessment and agreed scope are complete, with no hidden fees.
Choose a specialist cleaning partner for your practice
CQD Cleaning Services Ltd has provided commercial-only cleaning since 2012, serving more than 500 businesses. Our credentials include ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management, ISO 45001 health and safety, BICSc membership and CHAS accreditation. We’re fully insured and respond to enquiries within 2 hours.
CQD provides dental practice cleaning, medical practice cleaning and GP surgery cleaning across 33 named locations. See all locations, including Reading, or explore our medical, dental and GP practice cleaning service and full service range.
Frequently asked questions
Can you clean while the practice is open or out of hours?
Cleaning times are agreed with your site, so early mornings, evenings and weekends can be arranged to avoid disrupting appointments.
What does the cleaning contract cover versus the clinical team?
The practice retains responsibility for clinical decontamination, including instruments and clinical contact surfaces. The contract covers agreed environmental cleaning tasks, such as reception, washrooms, floors and staff areas. The written specification should make the division clear.
How quickly can a dental practice start?
Mobilisation typically takes 5–7 working days once the site survey and specification are agreed. The initial deep clean is included with every new subscription.
What does dental practice cleaning cost?
Bronze starts from £880 per month ex VAT (ex VAT), Silver from £1,280 per month ex VAT and Gold from £1,680 per month ex VAT. Final price after a free site assessment. Monthly subscriptions are cancelled with 30 days’ notice to end the monthly subscription.
Request a free site survey
Get a clear specification for your premises and a transparent monthly price. Contact CQD to request a free, no-obligation site survey. We respond within 2 hours.
