Riverway Dental Centre

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 line 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.

There was scope to improve the systems in place to ensure risks were well managed at the practice. Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety.

Systems for checking emergency equipment required strengthening as they had not identified that some items of the medical emergency kit were missing. The provider ordered these immediately. There was scope to improve the equipment log to ensure all missing items were included when monitoring medical emergency equipment. Following discussion, we were assured that weekly checks of emergency equipment would be reviewed immediately.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. There was scope to ensure Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessments and safety data sheets were available for every hazardous product stored in the practice.

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) equipment. There was no evidence to confirm the practice had registered with The Health and Safety Executive whilst using ionising radiation. We do not assess compliance with the Ionising Radiation regulations 2017 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) regulations 2017 but we do request services to provide evidence that demonstrates their compliance to inform our findings.

The practice managed fire safety well and fire exits were clear and well signposted. We identified scope for improvement in ensuring that records were kept to confirm that required monitoring checks of the effective operation of fire detection and suppression equipment were carried out.

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. There was no documented evidence that staff received formal inductions.

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 one-to-one meetings, clinical supervision and ongoing informal discussions.

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

The practice had some infection prevention and 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. However, routine testing of the ultra-sonic bath had not been undertaken. We saw and staff confirmed that single-use items were not reprocessed.

The practice had some procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems. We found these were not always in line with the providers own risk assessment and current guidance. There was scope to ensure actions identified in the September 2024 Legionella risk assessment and the checks of water temperatures were undertaken and documented. Following our inspection the provider confirmed these would be put in place.

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

Equipment was generally maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions. However, there was no evidence to confirm servicing of the air conditioning units.

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits. There was scope to ensure these were undertaken in line with current guidance. Following our inspection the provider confirmed this shortfall would be rectified.

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