Albrighton 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 knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff we spoke with told us that equipment and instruments were well maintained and readily available. The provider described the processes they had in place to identify and manage risks. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and the reporting of risks was encouraged.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available however, we found some items to be past their expiry date and some items were missing. Immediately during our assessment, the required replacement items were ordered and a new checklist was put in place to ensure equipment was checked in accordance with national guidance moving forward. Staff could access these in a timely way. The premises were 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. Fire exits were clear and well signposted, and fire safety equipment was serviced and well maintained.

The practice ensured equipment was safe to use and maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions. The practice ensured the facilities were maintained in accordance with regulations. A fire safety risk assessment was carried out in line with the legal requirements. The management of fire safety was effective. The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available. The practice had risk assessments to minimise the risk that could be caused from substances that are hazardous to health. However, we found not all products used within the practice were risk assessed. Immediately following our assessment, samples of risk assessments were submitted along with safety data sheets for the missing products. The practice had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. This included sharps safety.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient staffing levels. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued. They were proud to work in the practice. Staff discussed their training needs during annual appraisals, 1 to 1 meetings, during clinical supervision, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. They also discussed learning needs, general well-being and aims for future professional development. Staff we spoke with demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Not all staff had undertaken training in safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. All staff who required this learning carried it out immediately during our assessment.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff. The policy reflected the relevant legislation. However, we found the practice were not following their own policy. Appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were not always carried out at the point of recruitment and we found 3 members of staff did not have the recommended enhanced level of DBS checks. This was immediately addressed following our assessment. The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. We saw the practice had effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities within their capabilities.

The practice appeared clean and there was an effective schedule in place to ensure it was kept clean. Staff followed infection control principles, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Hazardous waste was segregated and disposed of safely. We observed the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance. The decontamination room was found to be in close proximity to the patient waiting area and there was no provision for a door so could be accessed by patients. The provider was in the process of seeking advice to change this.

The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance and the equipment in use was maintained and serviced. Staff demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes and we saw single use items were not reprocessed. Staff had appropriate training, and the practice completed infection prevention and control (IPC) audits. These were carried out annually rather than 6 monthly in line with current guidance. The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment. 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.