Smile Creator Dental Surgery

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.

At the inspection on 31 July 2026, we found the practice had made the following improvements:

The practice identified and managed risks effectively and staff described the processes. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. Health and safety and sharps risk assessments had been completed in March and April 2026 and reflected practice protocols. The practice had introduced a safer sharps system for syringes since our last inspection.

Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessments had been carried out since 12 March 2026 and staff had full access to safety data sheets for all products used at the practice.

The practice managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. Fire drills had been carried out in March and May 2026, full names and the evacuation time was recorded. The provider had appointed a fire marshal, who had completed relevant training since our last inspection. The fire marshal created a post fire drill summary and discussed learning and action points with the whole team. The practice had created a monthly fire extinguisher log to record the visual checks.

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.

Staff at the practice 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.

At the inspection on 31 July 2026, we found the practice had made the following improvements:

Staff fully understood of their responsibilities regarding the oversight of Was Not Brought within the practice and had created a Was Not Brought protocol for all staff to follow. Was Not Brought is a code for when a child or an adult, who is reliant on another person to get an appointment, has missed their appointment.

At the inspection on 31 July 2026, we found the practice had made the following improvements:

We saw evidence that daily environmental cleaning logs were completed.

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. A Legionella risk assessment had been completed by a competent person in March 2026. Since the risk assessment, hot and cold-water temperature checks were carried out in line with guidance. We saw evidence that all actions and recommendations documented in the external risk assessment had been completed.

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