Sale 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 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 practice had processes to identify and manage risks and staff we spoke with were able to describe these to us. Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

The practice had suitable procedures for the management of sharps and staff knew what to do in the case of a sharp’s injury. However, information displayed within sharps injury posters contained out-of-date information. The provider took immediate action during the assessment day. They created a new poster and placed these in necessary areas.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. 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.

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 management of fire safety was effective, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, and a log was in place to monitor and track their use.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff, including agency or locum staff, however this was not always followed. The practice should implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice and take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases. Although staff had Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks carried out, 5 of these pre-dated the start of their employment and 1 was at the incorrect level of disclosure for their role. “The provider took immediate action and risk assessed the 5 staff members with pre-dated DBS checks, and submitted a new DBS check for the staff member with the incorrect level of disclosure. Hepatitis B titre levels (to check immunity to Hepatitis B) were not available for 3 members of staff. Risk assessments were completed after we discussed this with the provider, while the staff members waited for blood tests and 1 staff member was booked in for their blood test on 27 March 2025. 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 levels of staff on duty at all times. They demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Staff knew how to escalate safeguarding concerns within the practice and externally. The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. The practice should take action to improve their systems of oversight for staff training, to ensure all staff have completed appropriate training at required levels. We noted 4 members of staff did not have the correct level of safeguarding training for their role. One member of staff had not completed fire safety training. Medical emergency training certificates were not available for 2 members of staff. All outstanding training was completed by 25 March 2025. There were effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff discussed their learning needs, general well-being and aims for future professional development during annual appraisals, 1-to-1 meetings, during clinical supervision and ongoing informal discussions. The practice held morning huddles every day. However, these were not documented and there had not been formal team meetings since 2023. The last meeting minutes that were available on the day were from October 2023. We discussed this with the provider and were assured regular team meetings would be scheduled and agendas and meeting minutes would be sent to the entire team. 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 effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment and current guidance.

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.