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• 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 and sepsis awareness.

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 mostly 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.

Staff providing treatment to patients under sedation had also completed immediate life support training.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. The practice had completed risk assessments and obtained safety data sheets for dental products to minimise the risks that could be caused from substances that were hazardous to health. Improvements were required to ensure all hazardous products were included in accordance with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. Immediately after the assessment we were provided with evidence to show us that safety data sheets had been obtained for general cleaning products used in the practice.

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) equipment.

The management of fire safety was mostly effective, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. We saw evidence that appropriate servicing and periodic in-house testing were carried out for the fire detection and fire safety equipment. Improvements could be made to include the servicing and periodic in-house testing of the emergency lighting and to record fire evacuation drills. We discussed this with the provider who confirmed that emergency lighting would be included in the next service of the fire alarm system booked for 8 October 2025 and that staff would be trained to carry out in-house testing. We were assured that timed fire drills would now be recorded.

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. Improvements could be made to ensure that all clinical staff records included evidence of the effectiveness of vaccinations against Hepatitis B. Following discussion with the provider we were advised that this would be rectified.

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, one-to-one meetings, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

Some staff told us they felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

One staff member told us, “The team feels like family, everyone is friendly. Because this is a smaller practice you get to build relationships with employees and patients.”

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 some procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems in line with current guidance. Water quality testing was undertaken. Improvements could be made by keeping records of water temperature checks of the hot and cold-water outlets and to include an additional infrequently used tap in the weekly flushing regime as recommended by their risk assessment. Immediately after the inspection we were provided with evidence that these changes had been implemented.

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.