Stoneyfields 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.

Processes to identify and manage risks required strengthening. Staff did not feel confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

Systems for checking emergency equipment and medicines required strengthening as they had not identified that items of medical emergency kit were missing or out of date. Items that were missing or were found to be out of date were ordered immediately during our assessment. Weekly checklists required updating to ensure all items were present and expiry dates had not been exceeded.

Staff could access the medical emergency kit in a timely way. 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 equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

The management of fire safety was ineffective. No fire safety risk assessment had been carried out and there was no monitoring of fire safety equipment. Fire exits were clear and well signposted.

We found shortfalls with the practice systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. We highlighted that improvements could be made to the tracking system used to reduce the risk of prescription theft or misuse. The provider assured us improvements would be made. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were not carried out.

The practice did not have an up to date recruitment policy and procedure that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff.

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

An appropriate role specific structured induction was not available to view at the time of our assessment.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient staffing levels. They demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. However, we found there was a lack of safeguarding training. Following our assessment evidence of up-to-date training was submitted.

The practice did not have arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. We were assured by the provider that this would be monitored in the future.

Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during ongoing informal discussions.

Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued and they were happy 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.

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. A Legionella risk assessment was due to be carried out following our assessment.

Although the practice appeared clean there were no schedules in place to ensure effective cleaning. Safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste required improvement which was carried out following our assessment.

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

The practice did not complete 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.