- Dentist
Oracare Dental Practice
Assessment report published 6 May 2026
Contents
On this page
- Overview
- Shared direction and culture
- Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
- Freedom to speak up
- Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
- Governance, management and sustainability
- Partnerships and communities
- Learning, improvement and innovation
Well-led
We found this practice was providing well-led 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 Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.
Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.
Freedom to speak up
The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.
Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.
Governance, management and sustainability
The practice had a governance system that included policies and procedures, which were accessible to staff and were reviewed on a regular basis.
Systems and processes were embedded, and the inspection did not highlight any significant issues or omissions. Areas requiring improvement were acted on immediately.
Staff were aware of the importance of protecting patients’ personal information. Staff password protected patients’ electronic care records, and paper records were stored securely and complied with General Data Protection Regulations.
There were effective processes for identifying and managing risks, investigating incidents and accidents, and for receiving and acting on safety alerts.
The practice had systems and processes for learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement. This included undertaking audits according to recognised guidance.
Concerns and complaints were responded to appropriately, and outcomes were discussed to share learning and for improvement.
We noted innovative approaches to providing person-centred care. For example, where possible, the practice attends local schools to deliver oral health education, providing teaching packs that include colouring materials and mini toothpastes to engage children in a fun and accessible way.
In addition, for long-standing elderly patients, the principal dentist offers home visits to assess oral health and determine whether further treatment is required at the practice.
Staff had clear responsibilities, and systems of accountability to support good governance.
Staff feedback was obtained through meetings, surveys, and informal discussions. They were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements to the service, and they said these were listened to and acted upon, where appropriate. For example, sitting as a team on lunch breaks and changes to diary management to prevent appointments from over running.
The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, recycling, turning off lights, in addition to not wasting water by using Alpron Water for a week to prevent wasting water every day.
Partnerships and communities
The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.
Learning, improvement and innovation
The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.