Poldent Dental Care

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.

The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 1 May 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 provider ensured they had robust procedures to make sure people are protected, concerns documented, and where appropriate, shared quickly and appropriately.

The safeguarding policy had been updated to include information, flowcharts and online resources to support staff to recognise and raise any safeguarding concerns appropriately. A new log had been created for staff to document and track the progress of any safeguarding concerns.

We saw minutes of meetings where staff had discussed the updated policy and safeguarding scenarios to confirm their understanding.

The manager now had a system to ensure staff completed safeguarding training to the appropriate level and updated their training at appropriate intervals.

The named safeguarding lead was now aware of the requirements of their role and responsibilities. We saw evidence 2 safeguarding concerns previously described to us had been reviewed, documented, and information shared with the local safeguarding team where appropriate.

The judgement for Involving people to manage risks is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The practice now had effective processes to identify and manage risks.

There was effective management of fire safety. Faults with the fire alarm system and an obstructed detector had been addressed. We saw contracts were now in place to ensure the fire safety systems are serviced at appropriate intervals.

The emergency lighting systems had been tested, and a faulty light was scheduled for repair.

Staff now carried out and documented appropriate checks of fire safety equipment.

We saw staff received appropriate fire safety awareness training and fire marshal training was scheduled.

Staff participated in fire drills and the practice manager was in the process of establishing communications with the tenants living above the practice to share fire safety and evacuation information.

Health and safety risks had been addressed. Floor height changes had been clearly marked to reduce trip hazards. An electrical extension which was identified as a risk had been removed. We highlighted the use of electrical extension leads in the practice should be reviewed to ensure these are kept to a minimum.

A servicing schedule was now in place to ensure servicing of equipment is carried out in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice had also made further improvements:

Aspirin in the medical emergency kit was now in the recommended form (dispersible).

The sharps risk assessment had been changed to include the risks from all the sharps in use.

Recruitment procedures were now operated effectively to ensure that appropriate checks were carried out before employment and to maintain up-to-date staff records.

A checklist had been introduced to ensure evidence of essential checks are obtained when new staff are employed, and to support the manager to maintain up-to-date staff records.

Evidence of appropriate professional indemnity had been obtained for clinical staff.

Evidence of right to work checks was now in place.

There were systems to carry out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks at the point of employment.

Evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B had been obtained for 3 clinical staff members, and 1 low responder had received further immunisations in line with national guidance.

The practice had also made further improvements: A system had been established for the manager to ensure role-specific staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date.

The infection control procedures had been updated, these reflected published guidance.

The decontamination room surfaces had been decluttered to provide room for staff to process instruments and maintain cleanliness effectively.

Staff now used the correct cycle on the steriliser, and a log had been created to maintain oversight of this, and for staff to document where they used alternative cycles.

Staff now used dental unit waterline water conditioning solution in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice had also made further improvements: The practice contracted with an occupational health company to ensure staff could access appropriate advice and care in the event of a contaminated sharps injury.

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