Centre Of Dental Excellence

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We found this practice was providing well-led 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 Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The practice had a governance system that included policies and procedures, which were accessible to staff and were reviewed on a regular basis. The practice manager was in the process of uploading documentation to a portal to further improve the accessibility of the documentation.

Systems and processes were embedded, and the assessment did not highlight any significant issues or omissions.

Staff were aware of the importance of protecting patients’ personal information. Staff password protected patients’ electronic care records, and paper records were stored securely and complied with General Data Protection Regulations.

There were effective processes for identifying and managing risks, investigating incidents and accidents, and for receiving and acting on safety alerts.

The practice had systems and processes for learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement. This included undertaking audits according to recognised guidance.

The practice had systems in place, so concerns and complaints were responded to appropriately. Staff told us that outcomes would be discussed to share learning and to guide improvement.

Staff had clear responsibilities, and systems of accountability to support good governance.

Staff feedback was obtained through meetings and informal discussions. They were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements to the service, and they said these were listened to and acted upon, where appropriate. One staff member told us, “I have already had a few ideas and projects implemented which has brought good results with patients, such as a ‘Birthday Wishes’ email, and a telephone queue system”.

Feedback from patients and external partners was collected to which the practice responded. The practice shared monthly newsletters on their website and with referral dentists, which included patient testimonials and case studies. The director arranged monthly study clubs through the practice’s training centre. These study clubs were available to local dentists, hygienists, therapists and dental nurses and aimed to promote clinical excellence. The study clubs were limited to 25 attendees and were free to attend.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, by recycling where possible and turning off equipment when not in use.

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.