Cheshunt 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.

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.

The practice identified and managed most risks effectively and staff described the processes.

Staff demonstrated a detailed understanding of sepsis awareness and its importance in the dental setting. Information about sepsis was displayed throughout the practice.

Processes were in place to manage the risks associated with sharps. However, on the day of the inspection, we were not provided with a lone worker risk assessment for the cleaner who worked alone at the practice, or the hygienist who sometimes worked without chairside support. These were completed immediately.

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines that were checked in line with national guidance. They knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

We were provided with evidence that the visiting sedationist, who provided sedation for patients at the practice on an ad hoc basis had completed immediate life support (ILS) training. Improvement was required to ensure that all team members involved in the delivery of care and treatment to patients under sedation had the appropriate immediate life support skills, taking into account the guidelines published by The Intercollegiate Advisory Committee for Sedation in Dentistry in the document 'Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care 2020’.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. We saw that the provider had Control of Substances Hazardous to Health risk assessments and safety data sheets for dental materials and cleaning solutions. Improvements could be made to ensure that this information was made available to staff for all domestic cleaning products used in the practice. The provider immediately took action to rectify this.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of most 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) X-ray equipment.

The practice managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, and a log was in place to monitor and track their use.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff. Improvements could be made to ensure that all clinical staff records included evidence of the effectiveness of vaccinations against Hepatitis B.

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 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, one-to-one meetings, practice team meetings 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 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. We saw, and staff confirmed that single-use items were not reprocessed.

The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems which included periodic water temperature and quality checks. We saw that there were some outstanding recommended actions following a Legionella risk assessment completed in January 2025. We discussed this with the provider who immediately made arrangements for the outstanding works to be undertaken by a plumber.

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

Equipment was mostly maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions. However, we were not provided with evidence to show that the ultrasonic bath had been serviced.

We saw that regular testing of the equipment used for decontamination was undertaken. Following our feedback the practice introduced an additional air leakage test for the autoclaves and cleaning efficacy (soil) test for the ultrasonic bath.

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.