High Street Dental

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 felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice and this was reflected in our findings. Most emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. We found the first aid and eye wash kits were out of date and there were no blood and bodily fluids spillage kit available. Evidence was submitted following our inspection to show these were now all available and in date. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency. They had last completed face to face training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support in December 2023. Updated face to face training was arranged for March 2025. 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. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

At the time of our assessment there was no recruitment policy available to view however, procedures reflected relevant legislation. A policy was submitted following our assessment. 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. Improvements should be made to the monitoring system of staff training to enable the provider to assure themselves that staff’s training was up-to-date and undertaken at the required intervals, including continuing professional development. We were assured by the provider that this would be monitored in the future. 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, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued and they were happy 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. We found the local anaesthetic cartridges were not stored in their blister packs. Immediately following our assessment evidence was submitted to show these had been removed from treatment rooms and replaced with new packs. The practice had effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment. 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 annually rather than the recommended 6 monthly in line with current guidance.

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