Angle House Orthodontics Chingford

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.

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

Staff we spoke with told us that equipment and instruments were well maintained and readily available.

The provider described the processes they had in place to identify and manage risks. Some staff did not feel felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, or that the reporting of risks was encouraged. We discussed this with the compliance manager who told us that improvements were being introduced and that staff were encouraged and supported to raise any concerns or issues.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way.

The premises were 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.

Fire exits were clear and well signposted, and fire safety equipment was serviced and well maintained.

The practice ensured equipment was safe to use and maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions. The practice ensured the facilities were maintained in accordance with regulations.

A fire safety risk assessment was carried out in line with the legal requirements. Improvements were needed so that where areas from improvement were identified in the risk assessment that these were acted on in a timely manner.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment, and the required radiation protection information was available.

The practice had risk assessments to minimise the risk that could be caused from substances that are hazardous to health.

The practice had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. Some improvements were needed to ensure that the policies in relation to safety were followed consistently to minimise risks.

At the time of our inspection, the patients we asked felt there were enough staff working at the practice. They were able to book appointments when needed. However, some commented on the length of time they waited for an appointment.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.

The majority of staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued. Some reported that they did not feel there were enough staff, particularly dental nurses. We discussed this with the compliance manager and they told us they were reviewing staff working arrangements to see where improvements could be made.

Staff we spoke with demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff, including for agency or locum staff. These reflected the relevant legislation.

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

Newly appointed staff had a structured induction, and clinical staff completed continuing professional development required for their registration with the General Dental Council.

Improvements were needed to the practice arrangements to ensure staff training was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. Records made available to us showed that the majority of training updates had been completed within the 2 weeks since we announced our assessment of the practice. No records of previous training were available.

Staff told us how they ensured the premises and equipment were clean and well maintained. They demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes. Staff told us that single use items disposed of and were not reprocessed.

The practice appeared clean and there was an effective schedule in place to ensure it was kept clean.

Staff followed infection control principles, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Hazardous waste was segregated and disposed of safely.

We observed the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance.

Staff told us how they ensured the premises and equipment were clean and well maintained. They demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes. Staff told us that single use items disposed of and were not reprocessed.

The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance and the equipment in use was maintained and serviced. Staff demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes, and they followed the practice policies when cleaning and decontaminating dental instruments. We saw single use items were not reprocessed.

Staff had appropriate training. The practice completed infection prevention and control (IPC) audits. Improvements were needed so that these were carried out every 6 months in line with current guidance.

The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment.

The practice had policies and procedures in place to ensure clinical waste was segregated and stored appropriately in line with guidance.

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