Mydentist - Wigan Road - Euxton Also known as mydentist

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.

The practice had processes to identify and manage risks and staff we spoke with were able to describe these to us. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these 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.

Staff were encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training.

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. This included cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

The management of fire safety was effective, and fire exits were clear and well signposted.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures 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.

Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. Staff told us there were current challenges with staffing levels. A new practice manager has recently taken up post and is actively engaging with the team to understand their perspectives. They are working collaboratively to develop and implement a plan to address any issues, and there was a sense of optimism that improvements would be made and sustained.

Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of safeguarding and knew how to access relevant information. They were also aware of their responsibilities in protecting vulnerable adults and children.

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, 1 to 1 meetings, during clinical discussions and ongoing informal conversations.

Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

We saw that staff had carried out a significant amount of continuing professional development, particularly in the period immediately prior to the inspection. Since recently starting at the practice, the practice manager had worked hard to ensure training records were up to date after identifying gaps in documentation. While this progress was evident, oversight should be strengthened to avoid gaps developing in the future and to enable the provider to assure themselves that staff training remains current and completed at the required intervals.

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 protocols to ensure effective cleaning and safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste.

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

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance.

The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment. However, improvements should be made to the oversight and monitoring systems to ensure that appropriate action is taken when risks are identified. Records reviewed showed that water temperatures had fallen outside the recommended parameters during 2023 and 2024, with no documented evidence that remedial action had been taken at the time. A recent review, conducted prior to the inspection, did identify these risks, and corrective measures had subsequently been implemented.

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