Wilton Dental Care

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 not providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations. We will be following up on our concerns to ensure the provider had made the required improvements.

During our inspection of this key question, we found a lack of systems or processes that enabled the registered provider to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services being provided. There was also a lack of systems or processes to assess, monitor and mitigate the risks relating to the health, safety and welfare of service users and others who may be at risk.

In addition, the registered provider did nothave effective systems to maintain records as are necessary to be kept in relation to persons employed. This included information relating to the requirements under Regulations 4 to 7 and/or Regulation 19 of this part (part 3) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

This resulted in a breach of Regulation 17, Good governance.

You can find more details of our concerns in the detailed findings below.

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.

The practice manager had been appointed in January 2026 and was in the process of developing a governance system that included policies and procedures, which were accessible to staff and would be reviewed on a regular basis. Prior to our inspection, staff had identified areas of improvement, including improvements needed to ensure that the premises and equipment were well maintained. Refurbishment of the decontamination room was in progress at the time of our inspection.

Systems and processes were not fully embedded. Where the inspection highlighted issues, areas requiring improvement were acted on immediately. We will be following up on our concerns to ensure the provider has made the required improvements, and that good governance and leadership are sustained in the longer term.

Improvements were required to the practice's risk management arrangements to ensure that risks arising from the provision of regulated activities were effectively identified, assessed, monitored, and mitigated. In particular, the risks associated with fire safety, management of medical emergency equipment and medicines, Legionella, servicing of equipment and lone working. In addition, improvements were required to ensure the documentation relating to recruitment processes is readily available, including for the principal dentist, to ensure compliance with legislation.

Policies and protocols were in place for the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV). However, the practice had not completed a Data Protection Impact Statement to document the purpose, necessity and assessment of risks associated with the use of CCTV.

The practice had systems and processes for learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement. Improvements were required to ensure that audits were repeated at regular intervals, according to recognised guidance.

Staff were aware of the importance of protecting patients’ personal information. Staff password protected patients’ electronic care records, and paper records were stored securely and complied with General Data Protection Regulations.

There were effective processes for investigating incidents and accidents, and for receiving and acting on safety alerts.

The practice had not had any complaints in the year preceding our inspection. The practice had systems in place to respond to any concerns and complaints appropriately, and we were told that outcomes would be discussed to share learning and for improvement.

We noted innovative approaches to providing person centred care. For example, an artificial intelligence system was used to provide translation services to patients to ensure that information was accessible and easy to understand for all.

Staff had clear responsibilities, and systems of accountability to support good governance.

Staff feedback was obtained through informal discussions. The trainee dental nurse had completed a staff survey in the year preceding our inspection and had scored all parameters as good to excellent. They were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements to the service, and they said these were listened to and acted upon, where appropriate.

The practice had systems in place to gather feedback from patients, through the use of a patient survey which was available in the patient waiting room.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, by recycling where possible.

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.