The Cathedral Close 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. The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Emergency 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. We noted that oropharyngeal airways sizes 0, 2, 3 and 4 were out of date and a child size self-inflating bag with reservoir was not available. Improvement was needed to ensure that all hazardous substances storage areas were labelled and secure to prevent unauthorised interference. This shortfall has now been addressed. Improvement was needed to ensure that the equipment in use was maintained and serviced as per manufacturers’ instructions. Air conditioning units had not been serviced and the compressor was last serviced in 2018. Improvement was needed to the management of fire safety. A fire extinguisher and 2 smoke detectors were not positioned appropriately. This shortfall has now been addressed. We were told that a new fire risk assessment was in the process of being arranged to incorporate the change of use of one room. The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

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. The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. There were effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during annual appraisals, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

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 practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance. Improvements could be made to ensure that cleaning schedules were completed in full to include cleaning of the patient waiting room chairs and records were kept to verify that staff had oversight of the standard of cleaning.

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