Olsen's Dental Practice Ltd

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 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. They felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

Staff could access most 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. Staff also participated in medical emergency scenario training.

Improvements should be made to ensure that clear face masks (sizes 0 and 3) for the self-inflating bag were available in accordance with the current guidance, and the practice had access to paediatric pads for the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), in line with the manufacturer`s recommendations.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

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 managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. The fire risk assessment, dated 24 November 2025, identified a number of medium and low-risk recommendations. At the time of our inspection, the action relating to the installation of self-closers and smoke seals on fire doors remained outstanding. The provider advised that the completion of this recommendation would be prioritised.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. Improvements should be made to ensure that prescribing practices were aligned with current national guidance, and that where prescribing deviated from this guidance, the clinical rationale was clearly documented.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff. On the day of inspection, 1 member of clinical staff did not have evidence of their response to the Hepatitis B vaccination, and a risk assessment had not been undertaken to assess this risk. The practice manager advised that they were currently awaiting the results of the staff member’s blood test. Following the inspection we received evidence of the blood test dated 3 March 2026. Improvements should be made to ensure that relevant vaccination records are obtained at the point of employment for all clinical staff.

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

Newly appointed staff and locum staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction.

Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were enough staff on duty at all times. 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 staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. On the day of the inspection, 1 member of staff did not have evidence of having completed all parts of the safeguarding training relevant to their role, and there was no evidence that they had undertaken training in learning disability and autism awareness. We brought to the provider’s attention, and the practice manager told us that the required training would be completed without delay.

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, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

Staff felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice. One staff member told us, “I love working at the practice and I am gradually increasing my clinical days. The environment is calm, the practice owner and management are approachable, and the patients receive good quality treatment. We work as a team, so patients receive the best quality of care playing to our clinical strengths.”

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.

Staff used personal protective equipment and decontaminated dental instruments after use, in line 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 practice had protocols to ensure effective cleaning and safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste.

Equipment was maintained and serviced in line with 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.