Cotteswold House 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 and sepsis awareness.

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.

At the time of our inspection, emergency medicines and most medical emergency equipment was available and checked in line with national guidance. We found the processes for checking emergency equipment required strengthening as we found some items to be either out of date or missing an expiry date. These items were ordered immediately during our inspection. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

Most staff providing treatment to patients under sedation had also completed immediate life support training. Further training was arranged for August 2026 and assurances were given that no sedation treatments were booked until all required training had been carried out.

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) risk assessments and safety data sheets were available for staff.

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

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).

The practice managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. An action plan was in place to address recommendations from a fire safety risk assessment.

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

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 structured induction.

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 had processes in place to monitor staff training, including continuing professional development and ensured it was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals with exception to the immediate life support training which was being addressed.

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 practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. A plan was in place to carry out staff appraisals following our inspection

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

We were told, “The reception does a stand-up job with organising the books, all the nurses are a joy to work with and the lead roles are all done with such passion and care. Even though it’s a big practice I feel included and supported. I feel very fortunate to have found this 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 practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.

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