Chiswick Dental and Implant 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.

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 to assess and mitigate risks relating to lone working but risks relating to sharps safety and sepsis required some improvements. Safer sharps were not in use at the practice, and the existing risk assessment did not accurately reflect this risk. Additionally, sepsis information was not readily available to staff or patients. Following our feedback, the provider took immediate action to address both issues.

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.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. The practice should improve the practice's processes for the control of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure comprehensive risk assessments are undertaken.

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 and the required radiation protection information was available. This included cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

The practice managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. Fire awareness training was carried out annually using an external company and evacuation drills were conducted at 3 monthly intervals. It was noted that the fire risk assessment had been carried out by an individual who lacked the necessary competency. As a result, some safety issues were not identified; specifically, that the air conditioning system had not been serviced and that the emergency lighting was not subject to monthly in-house testing. The provider took immediate action and arranged for a new fire risk assessment to be conducted by a competent assessor.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, and a log was in place to monitor and track their use.

The practice should improve the practice's recruitment procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff and take action to ensure all staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases. The practice had a recruitment policy that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff. However, it was identified that the practice did not fully adhere to its own policy, as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were not carried out for all staff at the commencement of employment, and references were not consistently obtained. The provider took immediate action and told us these checks will now be completed for all relevant staff and reviewed periodically to maintain ongoing compliance with safer recruitment practices.

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 annual appraisals, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

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.

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

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits annually. The practice should take action to ensure audits of infection prevention and control are undertaken at 6-monthly intervals in line with published guidance. Additionally, the audit findings should accurately reflect the operational practices observed, to support continuous improvement.

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