Millbrook Villas Dental Practice

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 premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. 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.

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

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 and these were checked in line with national guidance, however, we found airway management equipment had been repackaged. This meant the practice was unable to ensure expiration of the items. The practice responded to these findings immediately and took actions to rectify this concern.

They knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

The practice identified and managed risks effectively and staff described the processes. This included sepsis awareness and lone working. However, the sharps risk assessment did not reflect current practice. This was discussed and the practice agreed to update their risk assessment.

There was no log in place to monitor and track prescriptions issued by the practice. We have been assured that this will be implemented promptly.

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

The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover.

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, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

Staff felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes.

Equipment was maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions.

Staff used personal protective equipment. They 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. Actions had been implemented from the risk assessment.

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance, however these were not wholly reflective of current practice.

For example, the practice's infection prevention and control procedures were not always followed effectively. We found some that mops were not stored in a manner that allowed them to dry fully between uses. We were told that the practice is aware of the guidelines and that it was not common practice to store the mops in this way and we were assured that this would be rectified immediately.

Improvement should be made the practice's waste handling protocols to ensure waste is segregated and disposed of in compliance with the relevant regulations, and taking into account the guidance issued in the Health Technical Memorandum 07-01. The practice contacted their waste management company for support in this area.

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