Dental Health Care

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.

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.

Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. They felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

The practice identified and managed risks effectively and staff described the processes. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working.

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines that were checked in line with national guidance. They knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

We were provided with evidence that the visiting sedationist had completed immediate life support (ILS) training. Improvement was required to ensure that all team members involved in the delivery of care and treatment to patients under sedation had the appropriate immediate life support skills, taking into account the guidelines published by The Intercollegiate Advisory Committee for Sedation in Dentistry in the document 'Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care 2020’.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessments and safety data sheets were available to staff.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment which included cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and handheld X-ray equipment. Most of the required radiation protection information was available. On the day of the inspection, we saw that registration with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the use of ionising radiation had not been renewed in 2017. Registration was updated and a new certificate was obtained immediately following the inspection.

The management of fire safety was effective, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. An external fire safety risk assessment had been completed in line with the legal requirements on 15 October 2025. We saw that there was an outstanding action and were provided with assurance that the provider was addressing this.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management and dispensing of medicines. The practice kept a log of the stock of medicines in the practice and also monitored what medicines were dispensed.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that mostly reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff. Procedures could be strengthened to ensure all recruitment documentation was present in staff files such as evidence of satisfactory conduct in previous employment concerned with services relating to health and social care, or children or vulnerable adults. Immediately following the inspection, the practice completed risk assessments for staff where references either had not been obtained or could not be located.

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 had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were enough staff on duty at all times. They demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Staff knew how to escalate safeguarding concerns within the practice and externally.

The practice ensured staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals.

There were effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during one-to-one meetings, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Staff told us they also had appraisals although we were not provided with evidence of this on the day.

Staff felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

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.

The practice had effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment and current guidance.

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

Most equipment was maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions. However, we were not provided with evidence to show that the ultrasonic bath had been serviced. Immediately after the inspection the provider provided us with evidence that they had chosen to purchase a new ultrasonic bath.

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.