Mere 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 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.

The practice 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.

Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines that were checked in line with national guidance.

The practice did not have its own defibrillator (AED). Staff did not have a system in place to ensure the community AED was available and fit for purpose. We have since been advised that this shortfall is being addressed.

Improvement should be made to ensure emergency medicines are stored appropriately.

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.

Fire exits were clear and well signposted. Improvement could be made to ensure the name of the person carrying out fire safety tests are recorded in line with fire safety guidance. We have since been advised that this shortfall is being addressed.

Improvement should be made to ensure tamper proof automatic emergency lighting was available.We have since been advised this shortfall is being addressed.

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.

The practice should take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.

Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction. Improvement could be made to ensure that records are kept of agency staff inductions. We have since received evidence to confirm this shortfall has been addressed.

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, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Improvement could be made to ensure self-employed staff received appraisals.

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.

Oversight of the standard of cleaning could not be evidenced. We were told checks were informal and records were not kept.We have since been advised this shortfall has been addressed.

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 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 practice’s annual infection prevention and control statement was not available. We have since received evidence to confirm this shortfall has been addressed.

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