Southside 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 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.

Fire exits were clear and well signposted although we found the management of fire safety was not wholly effective. There was an up to date fire risk assessment although this had not been completed by someone with the necessary skills, knowledge competency in fire legislation. The provider took immediate action and provided evidence that a new fire risk assessment had been carried out following the inspection.

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 also 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. Following our inspection feedback, the provider ensured safety data sheets for all products used in the practice were made available for staff to refer to in the event of an incident.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions although there was no evidence the 3 electrical boilers had been checked or serviced. The provider took immediate action to address this following our inspection.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. Following our inspection feedback, the provider purchased a lockable safe for the secure storage of keys. This was to ensure controlled access to the medicines by designated members of staff.

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.

Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient levels of 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 had arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. However, on the day of inspection, the provider was unable to evidence some of the mandatory training for all staff members. Following the inspection, the provider submitted evidence that the required training had been completed or booked for both clinical and non-clinical staff where needed.

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.

Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

The practice had infection control procedures and completed infection prevention and control audits that reflected published guidance.

We saw the practice was visibly clean throughout although there were no cleaning checklists which can aid with auditing the effectiveness of cleaning processes. During the inspection the provider created more detailed cleaning schedules for all areas of the practice. We were sent evidence these had been shared with staff and put in place following our visit.

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. Following our inspection feedback, the provider improved the process for checking water temperatures when manually scrubbing dental instruments. A record was put in place to ensure that temperatures were monitored twice a day in line with guidance issued in Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: decontamination in primary care dental practices.

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