Glow Dentistry Hampstead

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• 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 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. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Medical emergency scenarios were discussed within practice meetings.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. 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.

A fire safety risk assessment was carried out in line with the legal requirements. The management of fire safety was effective. The practice ensured equipment was safe to use. Equipment was maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions and the practice facilities were maintained in accordance with regulations. 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 and had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage the risks to patient and staff safety. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. Improvements could be made to ensure that the lone worker risk assessment also considered the risks arising from the cleaners working alone. The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Improvements were required to ensure there was an effective system of stock control for prescription medicines stored on site.

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. One staff member said, ‘Our opinions and ideas are valued and help with the development of the practice.’ Some of the dentists had worked at the practice for many years. Staff discussed their training needs during annual appraisals, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. They also discussed learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development. One staff member told us, ‘Feedback is very important to me, and fortunately, I receive meaningful feedback on a frequent basis, which has helped me improve my work alongside praise which boosts my morale.’ Staff we spoke with 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 a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff, including for agency or locum staff. These reflected the relevant legislation. The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. Newly appointed staff had a structured induction, and clinical staff completed continuing professional development required for their registration with the General Dental Council. The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. We saw the practice had effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff had been allocated different lead roles in fire safety, complaints and decontamination. One staff member had started as a dental nurse and had been supported to develop and train to become a hygienist.

Staff told us how they ensured the premises and equipment were clean and well maintained. They demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes and had appropriate training.

The practice appeared clean and there was an effective schedule in place to ensure it was kept clean. We observed the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance . We saw that staff used appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

The equipment used for decontaminating dental instruments was well maintained and serviced. Infection prevention and control (IPC) audits were completed in line with current guidance. We saw that areas for improvement that had been identified in these audits had been considered and actioned. The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment. Effective policies and procedures were 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.