The Dental Group - Southampton

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We found this practice was providing well-led 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 Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The practice had a governance system that included policies and procedures, which were accessible to staff and were reviewed on a regular basis. Systems and processes were embedded, and the assessment did not highlight any significant issues. Areas requiring improvement were acted on immediately. The information and evidence presented during the assessment was clear and well documented. The practice had information governance arrangements and staff were aware of the importance of protecting patients’ personal information. Staff password protected patients’ electronic care records, and paper records were stored securely and complied with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). We saw there were clear and effective processes for identifying and managing risks, issues and performance. The practice had systems and processes for learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement. This included undertaking audits according to recognised guidance. Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff had clear responsibilities, and systems of accountability to support good governance. The dental practice encouraged dental compliance reinforcement through their “Wheel of Knowledge”. This comprised of a simple wooden wheel with a number of sections (in a pie chart formation) each containing a topic such as infection control, safeguarding, data protection, medicine management and others. Staff members each took a turn to spin the wheel, which then landed on a key policy area within their compliance framework. The team member was then asked to explain the policy, covering what it meant, why it was important and how it impacted on their work. The manager told us that with this approach, staff did not just memorize protocols but built a culture of compliance that prioritised patient safety, teamwork and excellence.

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.