Love the Dentist Mobberley

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.

Although there are issues to be addressed, the impact of our concerns relates to the governance and the oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk.

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 conducted risk assessment to identify and manage risks and staff described the processes. This included sharps safety and lone working. Further improvements were required to ensure the risk assessments were reflective of practice protocols.

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 most had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. We noted some staff providing treatment to patients under sedation had not completed immediate life support training. The practice acted immediately and sent evidence that immediate life support training had been booked for 13 May 2026. The practice assured us they would cease sedation treatments until the training had been completed.

We noted the first aid kit was out-of-date. The practice acted immediately and sent evidence following the inspection that a new one had been ordered.

Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. We noted further improvements were required to ensure all the hazardous substances had been risk assessed. In particular, the cleaning supplies. The practice acted immediately and sent evidence following the inspection this had been completed.

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 sent evidence that it was booked for its service on 12 May 2026.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available. We noted a Radiation Protection Supervisor had not been formally appointed and there was no controlled area radiation signage present. The practice sent evidence following the inspected this had been rectified. We do not assess compliance with the Ionising Radiation regulations 2017 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) regulations 2017 but we do request services to provide evidence that demonstrates their compliance to inform our findings.

The practice managed fire safety well, and fire exits were clear and well signposted.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter.

Improvements were required to the oversight of staff training and continuing professional development. We noted some mandatory training was overdue which the practice had identified prior to the inspection day and had begun to address. The practice acted immediately and sent evidence following the inspection that these had been completed or booked to be completed. The provider must ensure they implement effective systems to maintain oversight of staff training.

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 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.

Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during appraisals, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

Staff felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

Most equipment was maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions. We noted one of the autoclaves (a machine used to sterilise re-usable instruments) was overdue its annual service and validation. The practice acted immediately and sent evidence this was booked to be completed on 19 May 2026.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance.

Staff 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.

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.