Elgin Dental Care

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 demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

Most emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. Following feedback from the inspection team, the practice ordered the missing items immediately. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

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

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. While medicines were stored within a locked room, improvements were required to ensure that they were stored within a locked cupboard, as the room was not always locked and could be left unoccupied. Following feedback from the inspection team, the practice assured us that a lock would be fitted to the cupboard.

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 dental nurses and reception staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction. Improvements could be made to ensure safeguarding is included on the induction documentation, and clinical staff also receive a documented induction.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient levels of staff on duty. 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 had arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. Improvements were required to ensure that all staff had completed training on learning disability and autism and safeguarding training to a level appropriate to their role. The practice sent an email to all staff to ask them to complete this training immediately after feedback from the inspection team.

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, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice. One staff member told us, “The practice respects and supports all staff members. This creates a happy and positive working environment which I enjoy.”

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. Due to the design of the building, the decontamination room was small. Manual cleaning of used dental instruments took place within the treatment rooms, before being transferred safely to the decontamination room to be sterilised within an autoclave. Improvements were required to ensure that manual cleaning of the dental instruments did not occur while patients were present within the treatment room. Further improvements were required to ensure local anaesthetic cartridges were stored within their blister packs, so the provider could be assured they were sterile at the point of use.

We were assured that this feedback would be acted on immediately.

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.

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