Great Sutton 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.

The practice identified and managed risks effectively and staff described the processes. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working.

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

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines that were checked in line with national guidance. We noted 1 item was missing from the kit. The practice acted immediately and submitted evidence following the inspection that this item had been ordered.

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

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of most equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions. We noted the compressor had not undergone its periodic service. The practice acted immediately and sent evidence following the inspection this was booked to be completed on 2 September 2025.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. We noted further improvements could be made to ensure all hazardous substances are risk assessed.

The practice had some systems to manage fire safety, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. We noted monthly visual checks of the fire extinguishers were not completed and logged, there was no evidence a fire drill had been conducted in the last year, and the practice were not assured a fire risk assessment had been conducted by a competent person. The practice sent evidence following the inspection a fire risk assessment was booked for 2 October 2025, and the practice had commenced monthly visual checks of the fire extinguishers and periodic fire drills.

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 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.

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

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. We noted the systems for following up on ‘Was Not Brought’ appointments had lapsed recently due to a recent change in management. We discussed this with the new manager and were assured this would be addressed immediately.

The practice ensured most staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. We noted some staff members had not undertaken periodic fire awareness training, safeguarding training and learning disability and autism awareness training. The practice acted immediately and submitted evidence following the inspection these had been completed.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff. However, these were not always consistently followed.

We checked 6 staff files and noted Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were not sought by the practice at the time of recruitment for 1 staff member, there was no evidence of conduct in previous employment or verification of why their employment ended obtained for 3 staff members and no evidence of Hepatitis B titre levels (to indicate immunity to the virus) obtained for 2 staff members. The practice acted immediately and sent evidence a DBS had been requested and evidence of blood test appointments to obtained titre levels for the staff members in question.

The practice should ensure they are consistently following an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at 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 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.

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.