Grappenhall 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 practice identified and managed risks effectively and staff described the processes. This included sharps safety and sepsis awareness. We noted improvements could be made to the sharps risk assessment to detail all the sharps used within the practice. The provider submitted evidence following the inspection this had been addressed.

Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. They felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice.

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.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. However, the practice had not carried out risk assessments in relation to the safe storage and handling of all the substances hazardous to health within the practice. The practice should ensure all hazardous substances are risk assessed in line with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

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. We noted the emergency lighting was overdue its annual duration test. The practice submitted evidence following the inspection that emergency lighting works were booked for 20 June 2026. The practice had recently undergone an expansion in March 2026 and required a new fire risk assessment by a competent person. The practice submitted evidence following the inspection this was booked for 4 June 2026. The practice should ensure any recommendations from the fire risk assessment are completed in a timely manner.

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. However, improvements should be made to ensure these were consistently followed. We noted not all staff had a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check conducted by the practice or an appropriate risk assessment conducted at the time of recruitment. The practice submitted evidence following the inspection that DBS risk assessments had been completed whilst they await new DBS checks.

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. We discussed ensuring systems to follow-up on ‘Was Not Brought’ appointments are robust to ensure effective monitoring of missed appointments for vulnerable adults and children. The practice submitted evidence following the inspection that new protocols had been implemented.

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.

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 procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems. However, we noted water temperatures were not in line with their Legionella risk assessment following the installation of a new boiler. The practice submitted evidence following the inspection these temperatures were now in line with the risk assessment following adjusting the temperature on the boiler. The practice had recently undergone an expansion in March 2026 and required a new Legionella risk assessment by a competent person. The practice submitted evidence following the inspection this was booked for 29 June 2026. The practice should ensure any recommendations from the Legionella risk assessment are completed in a timely manner.

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

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.