Purfleet Dental Suite

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.

Whilst there are issues to be addressed, the impact of our concerns relates to the governance and oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk.

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 systems in place to assess, monitor, and manage risks to patient and staff safety.

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

Overall, evidence that the equipment in use was maintained and serviced.

Improvements were needed where the landlord held responsibility for assessing risks in relation to fire safety and the safety of the premises and systems. Records showed that the 5-year electrical safety report dated 2020 identified several issues which required action, and these had not been completed.

Staff were unaware of the arrangements for testing and maintaining the fire detection systems or the emergency lighting systems and could not provide records in relation to these.

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

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support in 2025. The storage of emergency equipment should be reviewed so that staff could access these in a timely way.

This practice has risk procedures in relation to included sharps safety and sepsis awareness.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. Improvements were needed to ensure that risk assessments and documents in relation to hazardous substances were kept up to date and legible.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out. These identified that antibiotic medicines were not prescribed in accordance with the most current guidelines.

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.

They told us that there were always 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.

Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during annual appraisals, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued, and they were happy to work in the practice. They said that the management team listened and were approachable.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance and staff received appropriate training. Improvements were needed to ensure that these procedures were understood and followed by staff. Improvements were needed so that clean and dirty zoning in the decontamination room were clearly identified and that dental instruments were stored in accordance with current guidelines. The practice infection prevention and control audits were not completed accurately in line with current guidance and did not have action plans to address areas where improvements were identified.

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.

There were some systems to reduce the risk of Legionella or other bacterial growth in the water systems. These included disinfecting water lines. The Legionella risk assessments carried out bt the landlord in 2016 and 2024 identified areas where improvements were needed. Staff at the practice were unaware if the required improvements had been carried out.

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