Tarporley Dental Centre

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 accordance 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 identified and managed risks effectively and staff described the processes, however the improvements should be made to the oversight of Legionella testing and fire safety checks. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. 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.

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.

Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. However, the practice had not carried out risk assessments in relation to the safe storage and handling of all the substances hazardous to health within the practice and did not have access to safety date sheets. We discussed this with the provider and were assured these risk assessments would be completed within the next 4 weeks.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions. We were unable to see evidence of the service certificates for 4 air conditioning units and did not see evidence of the electrical installation condition report (EICR) report. The provider acted immediately and the service for the air conditioning units and the EICR were scheduled.

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 annual critical exam for the CBCT had expired in June 2025, the provider acted immediately, and the critical exam was scheduled.

Fire safety was not always managed effectively, however fire exits were clear and well signposted. Following a risk assessment on 2 October 2025. The practice was actively working through the list of actions. The practice should take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff.

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

On the day of inspection, we checked a sample of recruitment files. We noted that pre-employment checks regarding Hepatitis B titre levels were not obtained for all clinical staff. The practice should ensure they consistently follow their recruitment policies and procedures, to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.

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, one-to-one meetings, during clinical supervision and 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. Following a risk assessment on 2 October 2025. The practice was actively working through the list of actions. The practice should take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and giving regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related 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 in line with current guidance.

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