Balham Smile Clinic

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We found this practice was providing safe care in line with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

Whilst there are issues to be addressed, the impact of our concerns relates to the governance and oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Learning culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Safe systems, pathways and transitions is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Safeguarding is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Involving people to manage risks is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The practice had systems in place to assess, monitor, and manage risks to patient and staff safety. However, improvements were needed to ensure that where risk assessments identified actions to be completed, and that these were done in timely way. Required actions identified in previous fire and Legionella risk assessments had not been completed. New risk assessments had been carried out shortly before our visit and we were assured that these would be reviewed and any necessary remedial actions completed.

Improvements were also needed to ensure that records for routine safety checks carried out by staff were completed.

The overall management of fire safety was effective and fire exits were clear and well signposted. However, some actions identified in the fire risk assessment had not been completed, and no interim arrangements had been introduced to manage the associated risks.

Overall, evidence that the equipment in use was maintained and serviced was available, except for the gas safety certificate, which was not available on the day.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available. Improvements were needed. X-ray performance reports had not been reviewed by the practice radiation protection supervisor to ensure that identified adjustments to the X-ray equipment were carried.

Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support in 2025. Improvements were needed to the arrangements for ensuring that emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could not locate some oxygen masks, and portable suction equipment. The storage of emergency equipment should be reviewed so that staff could access these in a timely way.

This practice has risk procedures in relation to included sharps safety and sepsis awareness. Improvements were needed to the arrangements for assessing risks where staff worked alone.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover.

Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.

They demonstrated a clear understanding of safeguarding and knew how to access relevant information. Staff were also aware of their responsibilities in protecting vulnerable adults and children.

Improvements were needed to the systems used to monitor staff training to ensure staff completed training at regular periods. Staff records showed that training in the majority of areas had been completed shortly before our visit.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance.

Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes.

Staff used personal protective equipment and decontaminated dental instruments after use, in line with national guidance. We saw, and staff confirmed that single-use items were not reprocessed.

There were systems to reduce the risk of Legionella or other bacterial growth in the water systems. These included disinfecting water lines and water sampling tests. However, there were no arrangements to ensure that the hot water heater was tested, cleaned and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice had protocols to ensure effective cleaning and safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste.

Equipment was maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions.

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance.

The judgement for Medicines optimisation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.