Courthouse Dental

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. The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breach we found at our inspection on 4 March 2024.

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 Orthopantomogram x-ray (OPG x-ray) machine was secured when not in use. Emergency medicines and equipment kits were situated behind reception and monitored by staff.

The five yearly electrical installation (fixed wiring) test was carried out in 2020. Portable appliance safety testing protocols were available. A record of the most recent fire drill was not available. Staff told us this was carried out but not recorded. We were assured this shortfall would be addressed as soon as practicably possible. Emergency lighting was tested monthly. The fire alarm system was shared with 2 other businesses. The practice tested their part every three weeks and records were kept. Following discussion with the manager, they immediately changed the process to test the practice’s three manual call points in rotation every week thus not relying on the other businesses to test their part of the fire alarm system. Evidence was available to confirm the fire alarm system had been serviced. Evidence was available to confirm the emergency lighting had been serviced. A fire exit route at the rear of the practice was unobstructed. The room which was to be used to house the Orthopantomogram x-ray (OPG x-ray) machine had been audited before the machine was installed. Evidence to confirm the actions required from the audit had been carried out were available. A critical examination (CE) was available for the OPG x-ray machine.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff. These reflected the relevant legislation. The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. Newly appointed staff had a structured induction, and clinical staff completed continuing professional development required for their registration with the General Dental Council. The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. One staff member’s annual fire safety training was overdue. We were assured this would be addressed immediately following our visit.

No out-of-date dental materials were present in treatment rooms. No out-of-date local anaesthetic cartridges were present in treatment rooms. Clinical cotton rolls were stored in closed containers in treatment room.

Colour coded cleaning equipment was separated when stored which reduce the risk of cross infection. Oversight of the external contractor’s cleaning standards could be evidenced by staff.

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