Ealing 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 accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

This was a focused inspection which assessed whether the practice was providing safe care only. We did not assess whether the practice was providing well-led care. We will follow-up and reassess the well-led key question at a later date.

The provider had made improvements in relation to the breach of Regulation 15 found at our inspection on 31 July 2025.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

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.

Improvements had been made to identifying and managing risks in relation to fire safety, Legionella, maintenance of electrical equipment and X-ray equipment.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions including an Electrical Installation Condition Report (fixed wiring) and electrical equipment testing.

Improvements had been made to fire safety. Fire exits were clearly signposted, and the practice had installed a new fire alarm system and emergency lighting. An updated risk assessment had been completed by the provider and checked by an external fire company.

Staff had completed fire safety awareness training and fire marshals appointed. We saw evidence that two fire drills had been carried out since our last visit.

We also saw servicing reports and documented internal checks for the fire extinguishers. Emergency lighting was installed in August, and staff were completing and documenting monthly checks.

Storage of prescription pads had been improved, and they were stored securely and monitored as described in current guidance.

Since our last inspection, the practice had made arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment, and the required radiation protection information was available.

The required 3-yearly performance tests had been carried out on all X-ray machines. However, there were multiple outstanding actions which had not been addressed. We will follow-up with the practice to ensure these are addressed. 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.

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.

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.

Some of the issues previously highlighted relate to governance and the oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk and will be reviewed at the next follow-up inspection.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance.

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.

Some of the issues previously highlighted relate to governance and the oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk and will be reviewed at the next follow-up inspection.

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