Norfolk House Dental Care

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 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. However, some of these processes could be strengthened. Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety and the reporting of risks was encouraged.

On the whole, emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Where we noted a medicine was the incorrect strength, this was obtained on the day.

Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

The premises were visibly 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.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

The practice should improve the systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular systems were not effective at ensuring risk assessments relating to the management of Legionella and fire safety were reviewed regularly to ensure all current risks had been considered and mitigated.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff.

At the time of recruitment, 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, which included safeguarding.

Most of the staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were not always sufficient staff available, for example dental nurses, and that they relied on agency nurses to fill gaps in staffing. 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.

Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

Staff discussed their training needs during annual appraisals, 1 to 1 meetings and in practice team meetings. They also discussed learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development.

The practice should improve the protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development (CPD). For example in relation to annual immediate life support training (ILS) and ongoing training for all those involved in the delivery of treatment under conscious sedation.

We observed the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance.

Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes. The equipment in use was maintained and serviced as per manufacturers’ instructions. We saw, and staff confirmed that single use items were not reprocessed.

Staff followed infection control principles, including the use of personal protective equipment, and safely segregated and disposed of hazardous waste.

The practice should take action to ensure audits of infection prevention and control (IPC) are undertaken accurately to drive the improvements noted on the day. The practice had cleaning procedures and schedules to support effective cleaning. However, we noted improvements should be made to the storage arrangements of the cleaning equipment and the spillage kit for the management of biohazards was out of date, neither of which had been identified in the most recent IPC audit.

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