Landmark Dental

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.

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines that were checked in line with national guidance. They knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and immediate life support training every year.

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) safety data sheets were available to staff.

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

We noted that that the electrical installation condition report was not completed within 5 years, as it had become due in November 2025. However, this had been scheduled for 29 July 2026.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available. This included cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) X-ray equipment.

The risks associated with fire had been assessed in line with the legal requirements by an external company in July 2018 and subsequently reviewed internally on an annual basis. Fire exits were clear and well signposted. On the day of the inspection, we noted that there was an outstanding action identified in the risk assessment report and that in house checks of the fire detection systems were carried out monthly rather than weekly as recommended. In addition, the emergency lighting system had not been serviced. We saw that this service had been scheduled for 29 July 2026. Following discussion with the provider we were sent evidence to demonstrate that weekly in-house testing for the smoke alarms had been implemented and that the provider had obtained a quote from a fire contractor for the outstanding works.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that mostly reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff. Procedures could be strengthened to ensure recruitment checks such as obtaining evidence of satisfactory conduct in previous employment concerned with services relating to health and social care, or children or vulnerable adults and evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B were recorded prior to employment for all staff. Immediately following the inspection, we were sent an updated recruitment checklist which included these areas.

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

Staff told us that they had an appropriate role specific structured induction although this was not being recorded. Following the inspection, the provider sent us an induction checklist which would be used when recruiting new staff.

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 said, “We are a friendly practice and new patients and old say that they like the way we look after them.”

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 annually which is not in line with current guidance.

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