Vaughan 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. Most emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. Improvements could be made to ensure that the emergency kit included all equipment necessary, and the medicines used to manage seizures and relieve angina were in the recommended format for administration, as advised in guidance from the Resuscitation Council UK. Immediately following the inspection, we saw that a child-sized self-inflating bag with reservoir, child sized clear face masks for the self-inflating bag, additional sizes of needles used to administer medicines and replacement medicines in the recommended form for administration had been ordered by the practice. 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.

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. The premises were clean, well maintained and free from clutter. 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 most of the required radiation protection information was available. On the day of the assessment evidence that the practice had registered the use of X-rays with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at the practice was not available. An HSE application was submitted immediately. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. The practice had completed risk assessments and obtained safety data sheets for dental products to minimise the risk that could be caused from substances that are hazardous to health for staff. Improvements were required complete this for general cleaning products in accordance with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. Immediately after the assessment we were provided with evidence to show us that safety data sheets and risk assessments had been completed for all cleaning products. The practice had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. This included sharps safety, and sepsis awareness. Improvements could be made to the management of risks associated with lone working for staff and hygienists who worked without chairside support as lone working risk assessments for these staff members had not been completed. This was rectified immediately. The practice had systems for the safe handling, dispensing and prescribing of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff. The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction. Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient staffing levels. 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. The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. There were effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during annual appraisals, 1-to-1 meetings, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance. Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes. We observed use of personal protective equipment and the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance. We saw, and staff confirmed that single use items were not reprocessed. The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment. Improvement was required to carry out the periodic testing of the temperatures of the hot and cold-water outlets as recommended in the risk assessment. Immediately following the assessment, we were sent evidence that a log to record the monthly water temperatures had been implemented. The practice had protocols to ensure effective cleaning and safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste. The equipment in use was maintained and serviced as per manufacturers’ instructions. The practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance.

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