Priory Dental Practice

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. They were overdue for their annual training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support, which we saw was booked for January 2025. 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.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available, and the emergency medicines were checked in accordance with national guidance. Improvements could be made to ensure all the emergency equipment was also checked at least weekly in line with guidance. The practice told us this will now be carried out. Staff could access these in a timely way. The premises were clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

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. However, an Electrical Installation Condition Report was unavailable and following the inspection, we saw that this had been scheduled for 29 November 2024. A fire safety risk assessment had been carried out; however, we were not assured that this was completed by a person who had the qualifications, skills, competence and experience to do so. Following the inspection, we saw that an external fire risk assessment had been arranged for the 6 December 2024. The practice told us that regular checks of the smoke alarms were being completed, however these checks were not documented. Following the inspection, the practice told us these will be recorded. The fire extinguishers had been serviced annually. Fire exits were clear and well signposted. The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available. 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 and sepsis awareness. The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. 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 bi-annual appraisals 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.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff. Improvements could be made to ensure that a risk assessment was completed for staff who did not hold immunity to Hepatitis B. Additionally, improvements could be made to ensure that the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate was of the correct level for each staff member, and that satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous employment was requested. The practice told us these actions will be completed. The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. 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.

The practice appeared clean, however there was no schedule in place to ensure effectiveness of cleaning. Following the inspection, we saw that schedules had been introduced. 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. Improvements could be made to ensure the IPC audit was completely reflective of the procedures in place. 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.