Archived: Hadlow 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. The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 16 November 2023.

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 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 and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice ensured equipment was safe to use and maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions. Information, relating to the cycles and function of the autoclave were downloaded and the information stored, assessed and acted upon. The practice had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available. This included handheld X-ray equipment. The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

At the time of our assessment, the patients felt there were enough staff working at the practice. They were able to book appointments when needed. 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 appraisal. And practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff, including for agency or locum staff. These reflected the relevant legislation.

At the assessment on 21 May 2024 we found the practice had made the following improvements to comply with the regulations: We observed the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance.

The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance and the equipment in use. Staff had appropriate training, and the practice completed Infection prevention and control (IPC) audits in line with current guidance.

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