Woodley 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 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.

The practice had processes to identify and manage risks and staff we spoke with were able to describe these to us. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance.

The medical emergency kit was stored in various places around the practice which may hinder a timely response to a medical incident. Improvements could be made to ensure the kit is stored together in one area of the practice.

Staff 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. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of instrument cleaning equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

Evidence to confirm the safety of a newly installed X-ray machine was not available. The required radiation protection information was unavailable.

The management of fire safety required improvement.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines, but improvements were needed to ensure effective sock controls were place and labels followed national standards.
Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

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

They told us that there were sufficient staffing levels.

Staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.

The practice ensured clinical staff were registered with the General Dental Council.

There were 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 appraisals and informal discussions.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff, but checks had not been carried out in accordance with relevant legislation.

We were told that staff inductions were carried out, but records were not kept.

The practice had systems in place to ensure all staff had completed training as per recommended national guidance, but improvement was needed to ensure that all staff completed the required training.

Lone working risk assessments were not carried out for those staff who worked alone in the practice.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance, but improvements were needed to ensure environmental cleaning schedules were comprehensive, standards of cleaning were monitored and equipment storage followed national guidelines.

Staff demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes.

We observed use of personal protective equipment and the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance. We saw, and staff confirmed that single use items were not reprocessed.

The practice had procedures in place to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems. However, staff were unable to demonstrate that the recommendations made in the Legionella risk assessment had been actioned.

The practice had protocols to ensure effective and safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste.We noted that a female sanitary waste bin was not available in the practice.

The equipment in use was maintained and serviced as per manufacturers’ instructions.

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