Walton Road 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 and staff we spoke with were able to describe these to us. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked 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.

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 had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

The provider should take action to implement all recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective. For example, not all recommendations made in the fire risk assessment had been actioned. We received confirmation immediately after the assessment that these had been completed. We also noted some additional risks on the second floor that had not been identified as part of the risk assessment; the practice manager confirmed they would seek assurance from the external company in relation to this. On the day of the assessment, the rear fire door was locked and would not have provided an unimpeded exit from the building in the event of a fire. In addition, we noted the fire exit on the first floor lead to an elevated balcony and the risks of this had not been considered. The practice manager confirmed these arrangements were being reviewed.

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

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

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.

Some team members told us that there were ongoing challenges with staffing levels, that impacted on the day to day running of the practice. The leadership team confirmed they would discuss these concerns with staff.

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 carried out. We discussed with the practice manager the importance of reviewing the system to ensure training was obtained regularly.

The practice should implement processes and systems for seeking and learning from staff feedback with a view to monitoring and improving the quality of the service. In addition, they should develop systems to ensure an effective process is established for the on-going assessment, supervision and appraisal of all staff. For example, we were told newly appointed staff had a structured induction, however records were not available to demonstrate this. We also noted regular staff appraisals were not carried out.

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.

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.

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.