Victoria House 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.

Staff had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. We received a mixed response to feedback from staff in respect to there being a sufficient amount of equipment and instruments on site and staff commented the maintaining of equipment could be improved. Some staff told us equipment can regularly break down and this can involve patients sometimes having to be moved during treatment. Staff commented they felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and the reporting of risks was encouraged.

We received written feedback about the practice from 16 staff members. There were mixed reviews in relation to staffing levels, training, internal décor could be upgraded in some areas and support with daily duties. Some staff commented the practice can feel disorganised and this can sometimes be stressful, however, overall, staff felt teamwork was good and the practice was a nice place to work. Evidence received demonstrated that staff had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Evidence received demonstrated that equipment and instruments were well maintained and readily available and premises were maintained, free from clutter, damp and mould. We saw records to demonstrate a satisfactory number of dental handpieces on site to ensure proper cleaning and sterilisation systems were in place. Leaders confirmed that appropriate cleaning processes were in place for the dental handpieces.

Information received confirmed the practice monitored the compliance systems to ensure facilities were maintained in accordance with regulations. The compliance manager told us they had demonstrated the compliance system to the team for their better understanding. Compliance systems are used to ensure equipment was maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions and in a timely manner.

We did not receive feedback directly from patients. However, patients who had left feedback for the practice online were all mainly complimentary about the staff.

Staff told us in feedback the team had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. Comments included staffing levels could be improved to help reduce current stress some staff are feeling. Staff told us in feedback that they felt respected, supported and valued, they discussed their training needs during annual appraisals, 1 to 1 meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Staff told us the feedback they receive was meaningful but not always delivered in detail.

The provider followed their recruitment procedures to ensure they employ suitable staff in line with relevant legislation. We were told, there had been staffing pressures due to staff sickness, the recruitment of new staff had taken place to improve this. The practice manager was supported by the head receptionist during time of absence. Evidence received demonstrated the practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. A lead dental nurse was in post and was being supported by the learning and development team (L&D team). The L&D team have visited the practice to provide additional training and support for new staff. Evidence received demonstrated 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. We were told the practice manager provides study calls with trainee dental nurses to help them with their coursework progression.

We did not receive feedback directly from patients. However, patients who had left feedback for the practice online were all mainly complimentary about the premises and treatment they received.

Evidence received confirmed the premises and equipment were clean and well maintained. Staff told us their knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes had recently been updated during refresher training.

Hazardous waste was segregated and disposed of safely, evidence showed a courtyard free from debris with a sufficient number of clinical waste and general waste bins available for use. We were informed rodent control measures were in place as the practice was located in a residential area. We saw that the premises was free from clutter, damp and mould. Clinicians confirmed there were sufficient number of dental handpieces available to ensure handpieces were cleaned and sterilised appropriately. The provider confirmed and evidence sent to us demonstrated staff had completed additional infection prevention and control including instrument decontamination training on the 12 July 2024, they confirmed that single use items were not reprocessed for use again.

Staff had completed infection prevention and control training, including instrument decontamination on the 12 July 2024. Evidence received demonstrated the practice had policies and procedures in place to ensure clinical waste was segregated and stored appropriately in line with guidance.

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