Denton Orthodontic Centre Limited

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. A health and safety risk assessment had last been reviewed in 2015 and the risk assessment template was from 2008. We highlighted that the sharps injury poster did not reflect the practice protocols. The provider took immediate action, and a new health and safety risk assessment, using an up-to-date template was completed on the day of assessment and a new sharps injury poster was created during the assessment. The practice should improve their systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, regularly update and review the practice health and safety risk assessment. 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. Staff were encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training. 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 management of fire safety was effective, and fire exits were clear and well signposted.

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. Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction. Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient staffing levels. 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. We noted the safeguarding policy had been reviewed in 2024 however the policy had not been updated since 2013 and did not align with current safeguarding guidance. There were no safeguarding flowcharts available on the day of the assessment. Following our assessment, evidence of a new safeguarding policy and new flowcharts was submitted by the provider. The practice should improve their safeguarding policy and ensure it takes into account both adults and children. The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. We noted 1 member of staff did not have the correct level of safeguarding training for their role and 4 members of staff had not completed annual fire safety awareness training. All outstanding training was completed on the assessment day. There were effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff discussed their learning needs, general well-being and aims for future professional development during annual appraisals, 1-to-1 meetings, during clinical supervision, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance. They had effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment. The practice also 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. 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 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.