Waterside Dental Health

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.

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 provider had some systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient safety.

The practice’s risk assessments had not been comprehensively reviewed to help manage potential risks; however, these have been acted on following our inspection.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available, however, the checking process needed improving to ensure this remained 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. Staff providing treatment to patients under sedation had also completed immediate life support training.

The premises were generally clean and free from clutter. We observed that certain areas of the practice were in disrepair, the business manager acknowledged this and confirmed that renovation work was in progress. Safety data sheets were available to control substances that were hazardous to health. However, they had not ensured risk assessments were in place to reduce the risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances used within the practice.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions. However, we noted that a recommendation on one of the equipment’s reports had not been actioned at the time of our inspection.

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

The management of fire safety was effective, and fire exits were clear and well signposted.

The practice dispensed antimicrobials, however, improvement was required to ensure safe dispensing. For example, the provider had not ensured an effective stock control system was in place to minimise the risk of improper use and that they remained in date. Improvements were required to ensure dispensed medicines were labelled in accordance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff. We looked at employment records for recruited members of staff and found that improvements were required to ensure evidence of conduct in previous employments was always sought.

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 always sufficient levels of staff on duty. Staff we spoke with on the day demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. We saw evidence that staff escalated safeguarding concerns within the practice and externally.

Whilst we saw some evidence of training, we found that improvements were required to ensure they remained up-to-date and completed at required intervals.

There were 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, 1-to-1 meetings, 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 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.

The equipment in use was maintained and serviced as per manufacturers’ instructions.

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.