Turret Orthodontics 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 accordance 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 had processes to identify and manage risks and staff we spoke with were able to describe these to us. Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

The practice had suitable procedures for the management of sharps and staff knew what to do in the case of a sharp’s injury. However, information displayed within sharps injury posters contained out-of-date information. The provider took immediate action during the assessment day. They created a new poster and placed these in necessary areas.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff were encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training.

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.

Overall, the management of fire safety was effective in the practice, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. The practice should take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment. We noted 17 actions following a fire risk assessment in November 2022. Whilst most actions had been completed, there were a number of actions left to complete. We discussed this with the practice manager and were assured any remaining actions would be addressed and rectified.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance. We noted that the appropriate efficacy tests were not being completed on the ultrasonic cleaning machine, and we found instrument pouches with no expiry dates in surgery drawers. We discussed with the practice manager and were assured correct tests would be completed in the future and any undated pouches removed from the surgery and resterilised.

Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes. We observed use of personal protective equipment and the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned 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. The equipment in use was maintained and serviced as per manufacturers’ instructions.

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance. We noted that the appropriate efficacy tests were not being completed on the ultrasonic cleaning machine, and we found instrument pouches with no expiry dates in surgery drawers. We discussed with the practice manager and were assured correct tests would be completed in the future and any undated pouches removed from the surgery and resterilised.

Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes. We observed use of personal protective equipment and the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned 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. The equipment in use was maintained and serviced as per 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.