Sutton Smile Centre

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 had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support. The provider submitted documented and photographic evidence to demonstrate the processes they had in place to identify and manage risks.

Evidence submitted showed the premises were clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and protocols were in place to support their use. We saw up-to-date records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice ensured equipment was safe to use and maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions. Policies and protocols were available to ensure the facilities were maintained in accordance with regulations. The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment. 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.

We did not receive feedback directly from patients. However, patients who had left feedback for the practice online were all complimentary about the staff.

We asked for feedback from staff as part of the off-site assessment. In response to this the provider explained having taken ownership only 4 months prior to the off-site assessment, they felt it would be unfair on new and existing staff to be asked to provide an objective view of the early transition to working for a new provider. The provider told us they planned to evaluate staff experiences in September 2024.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff. Evidence received showed all staff had had the required checks in line with Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act. The practice could evidence that clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. We saw in evidence provided that staff had received an 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. Staff had access to a shared on-line database which held all policies, protocols, risk assessments and audits required for the governance of the practice.

We did not receive feedback directly from patients. However, patients who had left feedback for the practice online were all complimentary about the premises and treatment they received.

We did not receive feedback from staff, however, evidence provided in documented and photographic format showed us the practice was clean and equipment was in good order.

The provider sent evidence to show personal protective equipment (PPE) was available to staff and hazardous waste was segregated and disposed of safely. The provider had supplied comprehensive visual aid protocols throughout the decontamination area and clinical areas to assist staff in their daily work. We were assured that the systems in place in respect of the decontamination of dental instruments aligned with national guidance.

Staff had received appropriate infection prevention and control training. The provider had a system in place to ensure clinical staff had received appropriate vaccinations, including the vaccination to protect them against the Hepatitis B virus, and that the effectiveness of the vaccination was checked. Systems were in place to ensure infection prevention audits were carried out in line with published guidance. The practice had policies and procedures in place for the appropriate management of clinical waste.

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