The Dental Surgery Stony Stratford

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.

Although there were issues to be addressed, the impact of our concerns relates to the governance and the oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk.

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 had processes to identify and manage risks. However, we found these were not always applied consistently or effectively, particularly in relation to risk associated with fire safety, medical emergencies, sedation and infection, prevention and control.

Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff providing treatment to patients under sedation had also completed immediate life support training. Staff were also encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training.

Systems for checking emergency equipment and medicines required strengthening as they had not identified that medical emergency items were missing. Items that were missing were ordered immediately following our inspection. Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines in a timely way.

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 most equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions. However, we were unable to find evidence of a recent 3-yearly servicing of X-ray units. This was last completed in 2020. We were advised this had been scheduled in September 2025.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available. This included cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Fire exits were clear and well signposted, and an internal fire risk assessment was completed in 2018. However, the management and oversight of fire safety required improvement. There was no evidence of an electrical installation condition report (EICR) having been completed within the last 5 years. We were unable to see evidence of a recent annual gas service report. Monthly emergency lighting tests and annual fire evacuation drills were not recorded. Following the inspection, the provider confirmed an external fire risk assessment, EICR and gas service had been scheduled. We were also provided with assurance that monthly testing of emergency lighting and annual fire evacuation drills would be implemented and recorded.

The practice had systems for the management of medicines. We identified scope for improvement with the management of prescribing and dispensing medicines. The provider assured us this would be actioned immediately.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum 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. We identified scope to improve the safeguarding policy to include local authority contact details. Staff knew how to escalate safeguarding concerns within the practice.

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 appraisals, one-to-one meetings, clinical supervision, 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 prevention and control procedures which required strengthening to reflect published guidance. Procedures were put in place immediately to improve processes.

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, governance and oversight of these procedures required improvement. Staff told us they regularly monitored water temperatures, but there were no records to evidence this. An internal Legionella risk assessment had been completed in August 2025. We saw evidence that an external legionella risk assessment had been completed following our inspection. We were provided assurance that recommendations within the risk assessment would be actioned immediately.

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 however, we found this was not reflective of practice.

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