Warrendale Dental Care

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.

Although there are issues to be addressed, the impact of our concerns relates to the governance and the oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk.

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 most risks. However, we found these were not always applied consistently or effectively, particularly in relation to risks associated with servicing and validation of equipment and fire safety management.

Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety

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.

Staff also participated in medical emergency scenario training.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances stored safely.

Oversight of the servicing and validation of equipment required strengthening. The compressor was last serviced in 2024, servicing is required annually. The provider assured us they had sourced an external company to carry out the service and were awaiting a confirmation date. The air conditioning unit annual service was last carried out in June 2025. The provider told us the service had been scheduled for 19 August 2026.

The practice arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment required strengthening. This included cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The annual electromechanical service of the combined CBCT and Orthopantomogram (OPG) machine was due in April 2026. The provider told us they had requested an external contractor to carry out the service and were awaiting confirmation of the date. 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 procedures for managing fire safety required strengthening. Fire exits were well signposted; however, we found one fire exit was obstructed. The provider addressed this immediately. The provider was unsure as to whether the emergency lighting needed servicing and there was no service history. The provider told us an electrician was scheduled to service the emergency lighting on 8 August 2026. Not all staff had completed fire safety training. The provider told us they had scheduled external face to face training on 10 February 2027 and that staff were in the process of completing online fire safety training in the meantime.

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, including agency or locum staff. The provider should ensure written references are sought for all new employees in line with their recruitment policy.

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 always enough staff on duty. 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 providers oversight of staff training, including continuing professional development required strengthening. Not all staff had completed all the recommended training. The provider sent us evidence they had updated their process to ensure all recommended training was included in their training log.

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 annual appraisals, one-to-one meetings, clinical supervision, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. We received mixed feedback from staff as to the effectiveness of these processes.

Staff we spoke with during the inspection felt respected, supported and valued by each other, and they were proud to work in the practice.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance.

Although practice was clean, we discussed the benefits of implementing a cleaning schedule for the cleaner. The provider implemented a cleaning checklist for the cleaner following the inspection.

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 procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment and current guidance. One of the recommendations had not been addressed from the risk assessment. The provider told us that they were sourcing an external contractor to address this.

The practice had protocols to ensure effective cleaning and safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste.

Infection prevention and control equipment was maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions.

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.