The Thatch 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.

We received written feedback about the practice from 11 staff members. Reviews in relation to staffing levels, training, leadership and raising concerns were positive. Staff commented they felt the practice building, dental equipment and instruments were well looked after and repairs were dealt with promptly. Practice staff commented that leaders were very approachable, they were supported to progress and carry out training. They received feedback about their performance and were given the freedom to raise concerns and seeing positive responses. They felt teamwork was good and the practice was a nice place to work. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff described in feedback an example of where they had successfully put their training into practice and received praise and thanks from both the emergency services and the patient. Staff told us in feedback that equipment and instruments were well maintained and readily available. The provider described the processes they had in place to identify and manage risks. Staff told us in feedback, they felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and the reporting of risks was encouraged with actions taken where appropriate.

Evidence received demonstrated the practice ensured equipment was safe to use and maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions. Evidence received demonstrated the practice ensured the facilities were maintained in accordance with regulations. Evidence received demonstrated that staff had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff told us in feedback the practice had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. This included risk assessments for staff who had not completed their full course of hepatitis B vaccinations and received confirmation of their immunity.

Staff told us in feedback the team had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. Feedback from staff regarding staffing levels, comments included; while the team is generally well staffed, this could be improved to help better manage the workload, but this was being looked into by the practice management team. Staff also told us they felt respected, supported and valued in their role through recognition, constructive feedback and a positive work environment. They received regular feedback and discussed their training needs during annual appraisals, 1 to 1 meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Staff told us the feedback they receive was meaningful, helped them improve and grow in their role. Others commented that feedback gave them more confidence and encouraged them to push themselves, and they always try to encourage and motivate the team. All staff received a structured induction programme.

Evidence received demonstrated the provider followed their recruitment procedures to ensure they employ suitable staff in line with relevant legislation. They ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. During our assessment, the provider described the support provided to the foundation dentist to enhance their clinical and administrative competence. We were told audits of dental care records included the notes completed by all clinical staff including dental hygienists and the dental therapist. In addition, they described the support and oversight provided to sponsored staff members. We discussed the processes in place to ensure all staff worked within their scope of training and qualifications. Evidence received demonstrated staff had a structured induction, and clinical staff completed continuing professional development required for their registration with the General Dental Council. Evidence received demonstrated the practice had arrangements to ensure staff training was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. We saw the practice had processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. We were told the principal dentist provided oversight of the foundation dentist, the trainee dental nurses and the sponsored staff members to help them with their coursework and progression.

The judgement for Infection prevention and control is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

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