Mark Kent Dental Surgery

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.

The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breach we found at our inspection on 15 April 2026.

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.

At the inspection on 14 October 2026, we found the practice had made the following improvements to comply with the regulations:

During the inspection we found staff to be open to discussion and feedback.

The practice staff demonstrated a transparent and open culture in relation to people’s safety. The provider showed a clear commitment to delivering safe, sustainable and high-quality care. Findings from the previous inspection had been discussed during team meetings, and there was clear evidence that staff had worked collaboratively to address the identified issues and implement the required improvements.

To support ongoing development and strengthen governance arrangements, the practice had subscribed to a compliance portal to ensure that all governance processes aligned with relevant regulatory requirements. The practice had also engaged an external consultant to provide bespoke support and guidance, helping to identify and address compliance and operational gaps.

An annual compliance planner was in place, incorporating scheduled policy reviews, risk assessment updates, audits and staff appraisals. We saw evidence that monthly meetings were held to review relevant sector-specific regulations and guidance, monitor progress against compliance requirements and achievements and review progress towards the practice’s goals.

The information and evidence presented during the assessment was clear and well documented.

Improved systems and processes had been developed and effectively implemented. Staff worked together in such a way that the follow up inspection did not highlight any significant issues or omissions.

The provider was in the process of updating all their policies and procedures to ensure they contained accurate and relevant information staff could confidently refer to.

The provider had made improvements to the systems in place for the management of fire safety across the premises. A comprehensive fire safety risk assessment was undertaken by a competent person on 17 April 2026. The risk assessment included all requirements as outlined in the relevant guidance and legislation, such as the overall size and layout of the premises, the adequacy of fire detection and warning systems, staff fire safety training, and the specific needs of vulnerable people, including those with mobility difficulties.

The risk assessment identified a number of recommendations to further enhance fire safety. The practice had implemented all recommendations within the specified timeframes. These included the installation of additional fire detection and alarm devices, suitable emergency lighting and manual glass call points as part of the fire alarm system. Safe evacuation arrangements for disabled people had also been established.

The practice conducted regular in-house checks of all fire safety equipment and maintained accurate records of these checks.

Improvements had been implemented to ensure medical emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way.

Systems for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with hazardous substances had been strengthened. The practice had carried out a risk assessment to minimise the risk that could be caused from the substances hazardous to health, and safety data sheets were accessible to staff.

The practice had reviewed their general health and safety risks assessments, which now incorporated practice-specific information and identified appropriate control measures.

The decontamination of used dental instruments was carried out in line with national guidance. Improvements had been made to ensure sterilised instruments were individually wrapped at the appropriate stage of the decontamination process. Systems were also in place to monitor the use of long-handled brushes and heavy-duty gloves. Weekly steam penetration testing of the vacuum autoclave was carried out.

A clear dirty-to-clean workflow had been established to minimise the risk of cross-contamination between surfaces. An effective stock control system was in place to identify dental materials approaching or exceeding their expiry dates, ensuring that expired products were promptly removed from use and disposed of appropriately.

The practice has also updated their infection prevention and control (IPC) policy, which contained a clear manual cleaning procedure for staff to follow.

The practice had reviewed and updated its sharps risk assessment, which now clearly identified all types of sharps in use and outlined the specific safety measures implemented to mitigate associated risks.

The practice had implemented improved arrangements to ensure staff training was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. This included the implementation of a spreadsheet for each individual team member, allowing for effective monitoring of training completion and renewal dates. The practice had also subscribed to a training portal, providing staff with access to a range of learning modules. A dashboard was available through the portal, enabling management to track the completion of core training and to identify any outstanding learning requirements. We saw evidence that all staff had completed the required core training, as well as additional training relevant to their individual roles.

The practice had introduced improved systems to support the consistent, accurate and timely recording of patient information, helping to ensure that clinical records were maintained contemporaneously and supported the effective delivery of patient care.

The practice had strengthened its audit processes to ensure they effectively identified areas for improvement, highlighted gaps in compliance and supported the implementation of appropriate actions to address identified issues.

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.