Leicester Smile Clinic Limited

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.

Whilst there are issues to be addressed, the impact of our concerns relates to the governance and oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk.

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 had systems in place to assess, monitor, and manage risks to patient and staff safety. However, improvements were needed to ensure that risk assessment templates were updated to reflect current protocols, including those related to general health and safety in the practice.

While the overall management of fire safety was effective and fire exits were clear and well signposted, some actions identified in the fire risk assessment had not been completed, and no interim arrangements had been introduced to manage the associated risks.

Overall, evidence that the equipment in use was maintained and serviced was available, except for the gas safety certificate, which was not available on the day. The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

Improvements were needed to the systems used to oversee staff training to ensure they were effective. The practice could not be assured that training had been completed for all clinical staff in key areas, including disability and autism awareness, fire safety, and safeguarding (children), due to gaps in oversight and incomplete training records. The practice should also ensure that staff complete appropriate training for delivering local anaesthetic under direct access.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable 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 we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient staffing levels.

They demonstrated a clear understanding of safeguarding and knew how to access relevant information. Staff were also aware of their responsibilities in protecting vulnerable adults and children.

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 appraisals, during clinical discussions, practice team meetings and ongoing informal conversations.

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

The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella in line with a risk assessment carried out in 2021. Improvements were needed to ensure all identified risks were addressed and the ongoing management was effective.

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.

We observed use of personal protective equipment and the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance. We saw, and staff confirmed that single use items were not reprocessed.

The practice had protocols to ensure effective cleaning and safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste.

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.