- Dentist
Purley Dental Care
Assessment report published 18 October 2025
Contents
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
Safe
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.
Learning culture
The judgement for Learning culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.
Safe systems, pathways and transitions
The judgement for Safe systems, pathways and transitions is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.
Safeguarding
The judgement for Safeguarding is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.
Involving people to manage risks
The judgement for Involving people to manage risks is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.
Safe environments
The practice had a governance system that included policies and procedures, which were accessible to staff and were reviewed on a regular basis.
Systems and processes were embedded, and the inspection did not highlight significant issues or omissions. Areas requiring improvement were acted on immediately.
Staff were aware of the importance of protecting patients’ personal information. Staff password protected patients’ electronic care records, and paper records were stored securely and complied with General Data Protection Regulations.
There were effective processes for identifying and managing risks, investigating incidents and accidents, and for receiving and acting on safety alerts.
The practice had systems and processes for learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement. This included undertaking audits according to recognised guidance.Improvements could be made in regard to the practice documenting training; we found the practice had not documented training undertaken by one of the dentists. They told us they would do this going forward.
Concerns and complaints were responded to appropriately, and outcomes were discussed to share learning and for improvement.
Staff had clear responsibilities, and systems of accountability to support good governance.
Staff feedback was obtained through meetings, surveys, and informal discussions. They were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements to the service, and they said these were listened to and acted upon, where appropriate. For example, they updated the reception area following feedback, including new seating arrangements.
The practice gathered feedback from patients, the public and external partners, and responded accordingly.
The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, the practice used electronic devices that patients could complete to reduce the use of paper.
Safe and effective staffing
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.
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 and one-to-one meetings and practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.
Staff felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.
Infection prevention and control
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. However, we found that the practice had not appropriately secured the clinical waste bin. We spoke to the provider about this, and they told us they would ensure the bin was chained going forward.
Equipment was maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions.
The practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance.
Medicines optimisation
The judgement for Medicines optimisation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.