Church Road Dental Surgery

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 most risks effectively and staff described the processes. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working.

Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety.

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 basic life support every year.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. We noted improvements should be made to ensure all substances hazardous to health are risk assessed and easily accessible to all staff including the cleaner.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of most equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions. We noted the compressor was overdue its annual service. The practice submitted evidence following this inspection this had been booked for 14 August 2026.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available.

The practice managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. We noted the practice were not documenting the monthly visual inspections of the fire extinguishers. We discussed this with staff and were assured this would be addressed.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, and a log was in place to monitor and track their use.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff.

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

Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. 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 most staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. We noted some mandatory training was over-due. The practice acted immediately and sent evidence that all over-due training had been completed.

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, one-to-one meetings, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance. However, the provider should ensure these are consistently followed. We noted single-use burs had been reprocessed and were available for use. We discussed this with staff and were assured these would be disposed of immediately. Staff also said the issue would be discussed within the team to reduce the risk of it happening again.

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.

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.

Most equipment was maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions. We noted some of the autoclaves were overdue their pressure vessel inspections (PVIs). The practice submitted evidence following the inspection these had been booked for 4 August 2026.

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits. However, these were not consistently carried out every 6 months in line with national guidance. We discussed this with staff and were assured it would be addressed.

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