Polesworth Dental Centre

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 and staff described the processes. This included sepsis awareness and lone working. The sharps risk assessment was amended to include only the most up to date information.

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. Improvements were required as some items of equipment were missing or had past their expiry date. These items were ordered immediately and received shortly after this inspection. The frequency of checks was also amended to ensure that they were checked at the frequency suggested in national guidance. 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 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, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. Fire drill discussions were held regularly, although a physical fire drill had not been completed recently but was scheduled for 23 September 2026. An external company was scheduled to complete a fire risk assessment on 17 September 2026.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, and a log was in place to monitor and track their use.

Following our inspection, amendments were made to the practice recruitment policy and procedures to ensure thatthey reflected relevant legislation to help them employ suitable staff. The practice should ensure that they obtain the correct level of disclosure and barring service checks for all staff.

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.

The practice ensured staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. Some improvements were required to ensure effective oversight of completion of training.

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 practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Appraisal meetings had been held for dental nurses but not for dentists or therapists. The provider should develop systems to ensure an effective process is established for the ongoing assessment, supervision and appraisal of all staff. Including the training, learning and development needs of individual staff members at appropriate intervals. We were told that implementation of appraisal systems was a topic for discussion at the next practice meeting.

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.

We identified some issues for action regarding infection prevention and control. In one treatment room, the dental chair upholstery was damaged, with a tear in the material that could impede effective cleaning and disinfection. We also observed unpouched dental burs and X-ray holders in treatment rooms. In one room we saw local anaesthetic cartridges that were not being stored in their original sterile packaging.

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, although improvements were required to ensure this was completed in line with national guidance. There was no log available to demonstrate that water temperatures were being monitored and recorded during the manual cleaning of dental instruments. Following this inspection, we were told that a new temperature log book was now in place in the decontamination room and staff were taking water temperatures when completing manual cleaning.

We saw, and staff confirmed that single-use items were not reprocessed.

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

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.