Parish Dental Practice

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• Overview
• Safe environments

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.

Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. 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 held medical emergency medicines and equipment. Improvements were required to the system for checking these. We noted the pads for the defibrillator had passed their expiry date. Replacement pads were ordered on the day of inspection. 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. 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. The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out. A fire safety risk assessment was carried out in line with the legal requirements. We saw evidence of regular checks of the fire detection equipment. However, we noted the risk assessment, which had been competed in August 2023, had recommendations to provide fire resistant boarding and install fire detection equipment in the cellar. These had not been completed. The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment. However, the required radiation protection information had not been made practice specific such as the local rules and employer procedures. In addition, we asked to see evidence of the current registration with the Health and Safety Executive. Staff were unable to locate this. On the day of inspection we asked to see the Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) folder which would contain risk assessments to minimise the risk that could be caused from substances that are hazardous to health. Staff were unable to locate this folder. In addition, we noted a bottle of cleaning substance in one of the surgeries which was not stored securely.