Crofts 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 mostly reflected in our findings.

The practice identified and managed most risks effectively and staff described the processes. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. Improvements could be made to complete a lone working risk assessment for the cleaner. This was completed immediately following the inspection.

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines that were checked in line with national guidance. On the day of the inspection we saw that the medicine used to manage low blood sugar was not stored according to manufacturer’s instructions. They immediately adjusted the fridge temperature and reduced the expiry date of the medicine to reflect this.

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

Staff providing treatment to patients under sedation had also completed immediate life support training.

Staff participated in medical emergency scenario training.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessments and safety data sheets were available to staff.

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.

The management of fire safety was mostly effective, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. The risks associated with fire had been assessed in line with the legal requirements and an additional external fire safety risk assessment had been completed on 26 May 2026. We noted that a number of recommended actions were identified in the risk assessment report and that in house checks of the fire detection and emergency lighting systems had not been completed since 2024. In addition, the emergency lighting system had not been serviced. Following discussion with the provider we were sent evidence to demonstrate that the in house testing had been recommenced and that the provider had contacted building and fire contractors to arrange for the outstanding works to be included in the refurbishment and extension works for the practice.

The practice had some systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. The practice kept a stock log of medicines in the practice and a log to monitor the medicines that were dispensed to patients. Improvements could be made to the security of the 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.

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.

One staff member told us, “Team members are professional and friendly and work effectively so that patients receive high quality care.”

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 effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment and current guidance. We noted an outstanding action from the risk assessment completed in January 2023 to some pipework. We were assured that this would be rectified as part of the current refurbishment of the practice.

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