Great Cornard Dental Practice

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We found this practice was not providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

The provider had made some improvements to put right the shortfalls and had responded in part to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 27 January 2025 and 22 January 2026. However, there was scope to ensure these changes were continued and embedded across the practice and team. We will be following up on our concerns to ensure the provider continues to complete the actions identified and embed the changes made.

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

The judgement for Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

Improvements had been made to the system for managing the risks associated with fire, Legionella and the use of radiation.

Some systems were in place to ensure that recruitment procedures complied with the requirements of the regulation. However, recruitment records for staff who had recently rejoined were not available beyond a DBS check, which could not be reviewed at inspection, and no other required pre‑employment checks or references were accessible.

We noted an induction had been retrospectively undertaken by one staff member, this was signed and backdated to July 2025, however we were told this had been completed recently. We did not see any documentation to confirm that a staff member had completed an induction following their joining the practice in 2026.

Systems to monitor and track the training of staff had been improved. We were provided with evidence that staff had received training in infection prevention and control, legionella and fire safety. There was scope to ensure all staff received training in autism and learning disability and complaints handling.

We asked for but were not provided with evidence staff received regular appraisal of their performance in their role. Staff told us they had not received an appraisal.

Oversight and monitoring of infection prevention and control processes required strengthening, as there were no surgery records or logs to evidence regular flushing of dental water lines or routine cleaning of the treatment rooms throughout the day.

Audits of infection prevention and control and radiography had been completed. The provider was aware these needed to be reviewed 6 monthly.

The practice had undertaken a new sharps risk assessment, which reflected the processes undertaken at the practice. We found where conventional sharps were used, a needle guard or other safety device to prevent injuries was in place in the treatment room.

There was scope to ensure the provider responded to complaints in line with the practice policy.

We will follow-up on these improvements at our next assessment to ensure these are embedded.

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.