The Dentist

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.

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 processes to identify and manage risks and staff we spoke with were able to describe these to us. Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

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 all completed immediate life support training. Staff were also encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. The practice maintained a log of all hazardous substance safety data sheets which were accessible to staff. We highlighted risk assessments should be documented in addition.

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), and handheld X-ray equipment.

The management of fire safety was effective, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. We highlighted evacuation drills should include a sedated patient scenario.

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

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient levels of staff on duty. 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 arrangements to ensure 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, during clinical supervision, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

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

The practice should improve their recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff. The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff. However, we checked 4 staff files and saw these were not consistently followed. We signposted the manager to guidance to support the review of these processes.

The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified and had appropriate immunity. We saw evidence that clinical staff remained registered with the General Dental Council. However, professional indemnity cover was not consistently updated in staff files.

Disclosure and barring service checks were not always carried out or risk assessed for staff at the point of employment, and satisfactory conduct in previous employment was missing for 2 clinicians.

Most newly appointed staff had an appropriate documented role specific structured induction. There was no evidence of this for 2 clinicians.

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 effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment and current guidance. We highlighted they should review their risk assessment report, as some hot water temperatures were lower than the recommended range, and cold-water temperatures were not monitored.

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

The equipment in use was maintained and serviced as per manufacturers’ instructions. We highlighted validation tests of the ultrasonic cleaner should be reviewed to ensure these are effective.

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.