Health and Social Care Act 2008: Primary legislation governing healthcare standards and regulation in England and Wales, establishing the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and setting fundamental standards of care
Data Protection Act 2018: UK's implementation of data protection requirements, governing how personal information must be handled in complaints processes and record-keeping
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): European regulation (retained in UK law) setting standards for data protection and privacy in handling patient information during complaints procedures
Equality Act 2010: Ensures non-discriminatory practices in handling complaints and providing services, protecting patients from discrimination based on protected characteristics
Consumer Rights Act 2015: Defines consumer rights in relation to services, including dental care, and the standards patients can expect in service delivery
GDC Standards for the Dental Team: Professional regulations set by the General Dental Council defining core requirements for dental professionals, including complaints handling
GDC Standards for Complaints Handling: Specific guidelines from the General Dental Council on how dental practices should manage and respond to complaints
CQC Fundamental Standards: Care Quality Commission's basic standards that all healthcare providers must meet, including requirements for complaint management
NHS (General Dental Services Contracts) Regulations 2005: Regulations governing NHS dental services contracts, including requirements for complaints handling in NHS dental practices
NHS Complaints Regulations 2009: Specific regulations detailing how NHS complaints should be handled, including timeframes and procedures
Local Authority Social Services and NHS Complaints Regulations 2009: Detailed framework for handling complaints in NHS and social care settings, establishing procedures and standards
DDU Guidelines: Professional guidance from the Dental Defence Union on best practices for handling complaints and managing dental practice risks
BDA Guidelines on Complaints Handling: British Dental Association's professional guidance on managing patient complaints effectively and professionally
Alternative Dispute Resolution Regulations 2015: Framework for using alternative dispute resolution in consumer disputes, including dental service complaints
Limitation Act 1980: Sets statutory time limits for bringing legal claims, relevant for determining timeframes in complaints policies
