SimplyTeeth - Seven Kings

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. Staff were encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training.

Immediate life support training was also completed by staff providing treatment to patients under sedation.

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.

Whilst the practice had all the recommended emergency medicine, we found that improvements should be made to ensure the medical kit included all necessary equipment, as advised in the Resuscitation Council UK guidance. On the day of the assessment, they did not have a self-inflating bag with reservoir for a child, and clear face masks sizes 0, 1 and 2 were missing. We received evidence following the inspection that action had been taken to rectify this appropriately.

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.

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.

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 the required radiation protection information was available. This included cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and laser equipment. At the time of the assessment the CBCT was not in use.

The practice had risk assessments to minimise the risk that could be caused from substances that are hazardous to health.

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.

There was a dispensing and prescribing policy, and we found that the provider’s process for issuing prescriptions was safe and in line with current guidance. The provider dispensed antimicrobials, however, they had not ensured information labels were placed on medicine packaging before dispensing. This was rectified at the inspection.

Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

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 appraisals, 1 to 1 meetings, during clinical supervision and monthly practice team meetings. Feedback from staff stated that the provider was approachable and was always available for daily huddles and ongoing informal discussions. They also discussed learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development.

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.

Staff told us they had received a structured induction programme, which included safeguarding.

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, for example, one of the dental nurses had progressed to treatment coordinator and was now a trainee practice manager.

The practice appeared clean and there was an effective schedule in place to ensure it was kept clean.

Staff followed infection control principles, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Hazardous waste was segregated and disposed of safely.

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 was maintained and serviced. Staff demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes, and we saw single use items were not reprocessed.

Staff had appropriate training, and the practice completed infection prevention and control (IPC) audits in line with current guidance.

The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment.

The practice had policies and procedures 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.