DK 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.

The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspections on 20 May 2025 and 23 September 2025.

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 and leaders told us of the systems in place to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.

At the inspection on 28 October 2025, we found the practice had made the following improvements to comply with the regulations:

A sharps risk assessment and a Health and Safety risk assessment had been reviewed and improved to be reflective of practice.

The dental laboratory on the 2nd floor of the premises had been dismantled and combustible materials and hazardous substances removed.

The schedule of improvements issued by Dorset Wiltshire fire and rescue on 2 October 2025, following a safety audit, were almost complete and a further fire risk assessment is scheduled to be carried out, to ensure the management of fire safety was effective. In addition, a fire evacuation drill had been conducted, and improvements had been made to the recording of the routine checks of the emergency lighting, fire extinguishers and fire alarm.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. The flooring in the corridors had been replaced, and new units, worktops and flooring installed in surgery 1. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

A schedule of improvements had been completed on the electrical installation and a new satisfactory electrical installation condition report (EICR) dated 08/10/2025 had been issued. We saw that a gas safety record had been completed, and work carried out by an external contractor to ensure the safety of the gas installation.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment, and the required radiation protection information was available. Personal dosimeters were in use and radiation warning signage was displayed. Action had been taken to address the high exposures referred to within the local rules.

We do not assess compliance with the Ionising Radiation regulations 2017 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) regulations 2017 but we do request services to provide evidence that demonstrates their compliance to inform our findings.

At the inspection on 28 October 2025, we found the practice had made the following improvements to comply with the regulations:

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff. Improvements had been made to ensure information relevant to staff employment in their role as required under Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 was available. Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role-specific structured induction.

The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover.

Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles, and were able to demonstrate this. They told us that there were enough staff on duty at all times.

Improvements had been made to the arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development (CPD), was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. A compliance package was in use to support this.

The processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities had been reviewed, and appraisals and 1 to 1 meetings had been implemented for staff to discuss their learning needs, general wellbeing, and aims for future professional development.

At the inspection on 28 October 2025, we found the practice had made the following improvements to comply with the regulations:

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance and were being followed.

Staff had 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. Staff confirmed that single-use items were not reprocessed.Improvements had been made to the process to ensure dental instruments were pouched and stored safely following decontamination.

The practice had made improvements to the procedures in place to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems. A risk assessment had been completed in line with current guidance, and the recommended control measure of recording water temperature checks was being completed. Improvements are ongoing to address the low temperatures identified at one tap.

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