Gentle Dental Care

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We found this practice was providing well-led 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 Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The practice had a governance system that included policies and procedures, which were accessible to staff and were reviewed on a regular basis.

Systems and processes were embedded, and the inspection did not highlight any significant issues or omissions. Areas requiring improvement were acted on immediately.

Staff were aware of the importance of protecting patients’ personal information. Staff password protected patients’ electronic care records, and paper records were stored securely and complied with General Data Protection Regulations.

Relevant policies and protocols were in place for the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV).

There were effective processes for identifying and managing risks, investigating incidents and accidents, and for receiving and acting on safety alerts.

The practice had systems and processes for learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement. This included undertaking audits according to recognised guidance.

The practice had not received any formal complaints in the year preceding our inspection. There were systems in place to ensure concerns and complaints would be responded to appropriately, and we were told that any outcomes would be discussed to share learning and for improvement.

Staff had clear responsibilities, and systems of accountability to support good governance.

Staff feedback was obtained through informal discussions. They were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements to the service. For example, 1 staff member told us they had given feedback about scheduling, to help appointments run more smoothly. Another staff member told us they had suggested ways to improve how equipment was stored, to make it easier to access what was needed during the day. Staff told us their suggestions had been listened to and acted on.

The practice gathered feedback from patients, through the NHS friends and family test. Feedback was reviewed and we were told that any suggestions would be responded to accordingly.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, by recycling and moving to storing policies and records digitally, to help reduce waste.

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.