Castle Street Dental Practice

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 provider had safeguarding processes in place and all staff were aware of their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. The provider had information available to staff in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.  

We saw evidence that the staff induction included familiarising staff with safeguarding arrangements. The safeguarding policy was personalised and identified lead roles and specific local arrangements for safeguarding.

The practice ensured that staff completed safeguarding training to the appropriate level or updated their training at appropriate intervals. Evidence of training was seen for all members of staff.

Staff knew how to identify adults and children at risk of significant harm and worked with other agencies to protect them. Staff knew how to make a safeguarding referral and who to inform if they had concerns. Staff told us they would report any concerns they had to the principal dentist.

The judgement for Involving people to manage risks is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The practice now identified and managed risks effectively and staff described the processes. Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. They felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. However, the practice should improve the processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. The practice had not carried out risk assessments in relation to the safe storage and handling of all the substances hazardous to health within the practice and had limited access to safety data sheets. We discussed this with the provider and were assured the risk assessments would be completed within the next 4 weeks.

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines that were checked in line with national guidance. All staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Environmental cleaning logs had been created and all cleaning was now recorded daily.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of most equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions. We noted the water storage tank had not been serviced in line with recommendations in their Legionella risk assessment. The provider acted immediately and booked the service..

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available.

The practice managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. We highlighted that a recent fire drill was not recorded, the fire alarm was not tested in line with guidance and were not being recorded. The monthly emergency lighting testing was not being recorded. The provider should take action to ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines.

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. Staff knew how to escalate safeguarding concerns within the practice and externally.

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 annual appraisals, one-to-one meetings, during clinical supervision and 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 control procedures that reflected published guidance. 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 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 now 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.

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