Tisbury 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 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.

Overall, the practice identified and managed risks effectively. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. The provider should make further improvements to ensure that risk assessments are appropriately reviewed, reflect working practices and that staff have read the assessments relevant to their work.

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. However, during our inspection we saw that not all hazardous substances were appropriately labelled. We were assured that this had been identified and was due to be rectified.

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). However, we noted that documentation relating to the use of X-ray equipment and lasers did not accurately reflect working practices. In addition, oversight of mandatory training for the safe use of CBCT required improvement. We discussed this with staff and were assured this would be addressed and corrected. We do not assess compliance with the Ionising Radiation regulations 2017 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) regulations 2017 but we do request services to provide evidence that demonstrates their compliance to inform our findings.

The practice managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted.

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. Whilst this had not always been consistently applied, we were told that changes had been made to recruitment processes to ensure these consistently reflect the relevant legislation and we noted improvements in recently employed staff records.

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 had systems in place to monitor and update staff training, including continuing professional development. During our inspection we noted that the system for the oversight of training required improved monitoring to prevent lapses in mandatory training for staff.

There were processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. We noted during the inspection that staff appraisals had not been completed for several years. We were assured that this would be addressed under the new management arrangements and that there were further plans to enhance staff communication through monthly staff meetings.

Staff reported that under the new management team they felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud of the care they provide to 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.

The practice maintained records to confirm regular monitoring checks of water temperatures, flushing of seldom used outlets and dental unit water line management to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems. However, we noted that not all of the recommendations made in the Legionella risk assessment had been implemented. We discussed this with staff and were assured the necessary changes would be made.

The practice had protocols to ensure effective cleaning and safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste. During our inspection we saw that there was an accumulation of gypsum waste. We discussed this with staff who assured us that waste collections would be increased to ensure appropriate waste management.

Improvements were required to ensure that all equipment used for the decontamination process was serviced in line with manufacturers guidelines.

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.