Redcar Family 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.

Although there are issues to be addressed, the impact of our concerns relates to the governance and the 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 identified and managed risks and staff described the processes involved. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. We did highlight that improvements could be made to the risk assessments carried out in practice, the practice took this onboard.

Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. They felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice.

We noted that checks on emergency equipment and medicines were not done in accordance with national guidance, as a result, some equipment was missing. All missing equipment was ordered during the inspection day, and a new weekly medical emergency kit checklist was created during the inspection.

The practice should Implement an effective system of checks of medical emergency equipment and medicines taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK).

They 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. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

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.

The practice managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. We noted some documentation related to oversight of fire drills and visual checks of the fire extinguishers were not always complete. We discussed this with the provider who assured us this would be addressed and improvements made.

The practice had systems for the management of medicines.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, however records for current and newly employed staff were not accurate or complete. For example, on the day of inspection, we checked 7 recruitment files. We noted that pre-employment checks, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were not carried out for 1 member of staff before they commenced employment at the practice. Hepatitis B titre levels were not obtained for 1 member of the clinical staff. Titre levels are required to indicate levels of antibodies following a vaccination to ensure the vaccine has been effective. The practice acted quickly and sent evidence over that this information had been requested after the inspection.

The practice should ensure they consistently follow their recruitment policies and procedures.

This should also include procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff

The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover.

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. We highlighted on the day that a Was Not Brought process (a safeguarding framework used in health and social care to record when a child or vulnerable adult misses an appointment because their carer failed to bring them) and knowledge was limited in practice. The practice acknowledged this and assured us that this would be reviewed and implemented.

The staff training, including continuing professional development, were mostly up-to-date, however we noted that there was not a system in place to ensure staff were up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development. As a result, fire safety awareness and Learning disability and Autism awareness training had lapsed for all staff. The practice acted quickly and we were sent evidence that this had been completed after the inspection.

Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during appraisals 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 however they did not always reflect the most up to date guidance, once highlighted to the practice they acted quickly to ensure processes and policies were updated in line with 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 did not have effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, as a result, temperature checks to ensure water was reaching adequate temperature range were not being carried out and documented.

The practice should take action to ensure a legionella risk assessment is carried out by a competent person and take action to implement any recommendations highlighted in the risk assessment.

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 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.