Talking Teeth 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 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. However, some improvements should be made to ensure these were effective.
Staff 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. Some improvements could be made to ensure first aid actions and storage arrangements are included in the risk assessments.
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.
The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.
There were systems in place to manage fire safety, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. However, the practice could not assure us the risks were assessed by someone competent to do so. The leadership team confirmed this would be reviewed.
The system to ensure emergency equipment and medicines were available and within their expiry date, in accordance with national guidance, should be improved. All medicines and equipment were not available on the day of the inspection. The practice manager confirmed the missing and expired items had been ordered immediately after our visit.

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.
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 sufficient staffing levels. They demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals.
Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during appraisals, practice team meetings and ongoing informal conversations.
Staff stated they enjoyed working in the practice.

Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes.
The practice had effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk inspection.
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.
Improvements should be made to ensure the decontamination of used dental instruments was in line with current guidelines. We saw, and staff confirmed that single use items were not reprocessed. The practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance. However the areas of improvement had not been identified in the most recent audit.

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