Premium Dental Practice

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 providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breach we found at our inspection on 5 November 2024.

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.

At the inspection on 14 July 2025, we found the practice had made the following improvements to comply with the regulation:

During the inspection we found staff to be open to discussion and feedback.

The practice staff demonstrated a transparent and open culture in relation to people’s safety. The provider showed a clear commitment to delivering safe, sustainable and high-quality care. Findings from the previous inspection had been discussed during team meetings, and there was clear evidence that staff had worked collaboratively to implement the required improvements.

To support ongoing development and regulatory compliance, the practice had introduced an annual compliance planner. They were in the process of developing a system to document all actions required throughout the year, including the corresponding deadlines for completion. The planner incorporated scheduled dates for policy reviews, risk assessment updates, audits, and staff appraisals to assess training needs and support individual professional development. The provider informed us that the compliance planner would be reviewed monthly to ensure timely completion of planned actions.

The information and evidence presented during the assessment was clear and well documented.

Improved systems and processes had been developed and effectively implemented. Staff worked together in such a way that the follow up inspection did not highlight any significant issues or omissions.

Improvements had been implemented to ensure emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way.

A fire safety risk assessment had been carried out on 29 September 2022. The recommendations outlined in the risk assessment had been actioned by the provider. These included verifying the fire resistance of designated doors, displaying an evacuation plan, identifying appropriate assembly points, removing obstruction from the rear fire exit, providing fire awareness training for staff, and conducting regular in-house testing of the fire safety equipment. The provider had scheduled the fitting of self-closing devices and smoke seals on fire doors for the end of July 2025.

The practice had reviewed and updated its sharps risk assessment, which now clearly identified all types of sharps in use and outlined the specific safety measures implemented to mitigate associated risks.

Improvements had also been made to the systems used to monitor staff training. These systems ensured that training remained up to date and was reviewed at the appropriate intervals to maintain compliance with relevant requirements. All members of staff had completed the required training specific for their role.

The provider had updated the staff induction plan to include core topics such as safeguarding, medical emergencies, and health and safety. The provider told us that, moving forward, all new staff would receive a structured induction to ensure they were adequately prepared for their roles within the practice.

The practice had improved systems in place to ensure clinical areas were kept clean.

The practice updated their infection prevention and control (IPC) policy, which contained a clear manual cleaning procedure staff could refer to.

We observed the decontamination of used dental instruments, which was carried out in line with national guidance. All dental instruments were appropriately wrapped after sterilisation and the shelf life of sterilised instruments was adequately monitored and documented. Instrument storage drawers were well organised, and work surfaces within the clinical areas had been de-cluttered.

A Legionella risk assessment had been carried out on 26 August 2022. The recommendations made within the risk assessment had been fully implemented and the practice had a written scheme of control for water management in place. These included monthly hot and cold-water temperature checks, Legionella awareness training for staff and regular descaling of outlets. The provider reviewed the Legionella risk assessment on a regular basis and maintained a detailed log of completed actions in response to its findings.

The practice had reviewed their lone worker and general health and safety risks assessments, which now incorporated practice-specific information and identified appropriate control measures.

The provider was in the process of updating all their policies and procedures to ensure they contained accurate and relevant information staff could confidently refer to.

The practice had conducted infection prevention and control audits bi-annually, in line with the current guidance. These audits included detailed analyses and accompanying action plans to support continuous improvement.

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.