Elbow Lane Dental 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.

The practice identified and managed risks effectively and staff described the processes. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. We noted the sharps injury posters were not displayed in areas that were easily accessible to staff. The provider took immediate action to rectify this.

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. The provider should consider reviewing their systems for checking the kit to ensure out-of-date or missing items are identified promptly. The provider took immediate action to address this.

Staff providing treatment to patients under sedation had also completed immediate life support training plus patient assessment, airway management techniques and automated external defibrillator training.

Staff also participated in medical emergency scenario training.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. We noted daily environmental and equipment checks were not consistently completed across all clinical rooms and had not identified damage to a dental stool. The provider had arrangements to ensure effective cleaning of the damaged item whilst awaiting repairs.

Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

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.

The practice had systems for the management of medicines. NHS prescription pads were kept securely. However, we identified opportunities to strengthen systems for monitoring and tracking prescriptions to provide additional assurance regarding their use. We also found that prescription labels did not consistently include the practice address. The provider agreed to review these arrangements to ensure they aligned with current guidance.

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

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 systems in place to support staff undertaking additional roles and responsibilities. Staff told us they were encouraged to discuss their learning and development needs, wellbeing and career aspirations through annual appraisals, one-to-one meetings, practice meetings and ongoing informal discussions with leaders.

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. During the inspection, we found clinical waste bins were not appropriately tethered and secured. The provider took immediate action to address this and reviewed arrangements to ensure clinical waste was managed safely and in line with current guidance.

Equipment was maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions. We noted governance documentation in relation to cleaning of the dental unit waterlines was not reflective of practice protocols. The provider assured us they will review their processes in line with manufacturers’ procedures for the cleaning agent they used.

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.