Approach Dentistry

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We found this practice was providing well led 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 assessment on 5 July 2024.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

At the assessment on 17 December 2024, we found the practice had made the following improvements to comply with the regulation: During the inspection we found staff to be open to discussion and feedback. The practice staff demonstrated a transparent and open culture in relation to people’s safety. The provider demonstrated commitment to delivering safe, sustainable and high-quality care. They continued to use a compliance company to support their efforts in becoming compliant with the legal requirements. The provider told us that they had implemented a new management system accessible to all management staff. This ensured that equipment maintenance was monitored by multiple people to avoid any expiration of service dates. The practice had set up maintenance agreements where possible to ensure maintenance scheduling became automated. The provider told us that staff training had been incorporated into the monthly staff meeting agendas. There were plans in place to discuss specific topics in each meeting followed by self-guided learning. The provider assured us that this would support staff to remain up-to-date with their Continuing professional development. The practice had updated their recruitment policy, and this included an in-depth checklist supporting the interview process, sufficient recruitment checks and a structured induction programme. The provider told us that newly appointed members of staff would be processed by multiple members of the management team to ensure all necessary checks and documents were gathered before they start working at the practice. The provider reassured us that they understood the importance of effective oversight to ensure that staff completed the relevant tasks delegated to them.

The practice ensured the premises and equipment were safe to use and maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions and the relevant legislation. We were shown evidence that the air conditioning system had been serviced on 19 July 2024. Portable appliances had been checked for safety and remedial work had been carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the servicing report. Electrical installation condition checks had been carried out on 14 September 2024, and we were shown evidence to confirm that the remedial works highlighted in the report had been completed. A fire safety risk assessment had been carried out on 29 November 2024. The fire risk assessor confirmed that the current fire safety measures at the premises were satisfactory. We saw evidence that periodic in-house checks of the fire safety equipment and fire evacuation drills were being carried out. A Legionella risk assessment had been carried out on 23 September 2024 and the recommendations made within the risk assessment had been acted upon. Monthly temperature checks were being carried out and there were records to demonstrate that the infrequently used outlets were flushed by staff weekly. Improvements had been made to the practice recruitment procedures and we were shown evidence that the required recruitment documentation, including Disclosure and Barring Service checks and evidence of conduct in previous employment, had been obtained for the 2 newly appointed staff members. There was a structured induction programme in place to prepare staff for their new role. The practice had implemented an effective system to monitor staff training. Further improvements could be made to ensure staff completed training in learning disability and autism awareness.

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.