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Health and safety for your practice

Learn the essentials of registering with the health and safety executive, and your obligations to protect people in your practice.

Overview

Health and safety in dental practices is governed by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSW Act), which sets out the general responsibilities of employers and others working at or visiting the workplace. This legislation is supported by detailed regulations that outline specific requirements for managing risks and maintaining safe conditions. As a dental practice owner, you have a duty of care to protect staff, patients, and visitors from harm and to ensure that your premises and procedures meet legal standards.

The UK’s healthcare regulators also expect practices to maintain suitable standards of quality and safety, which patients have a right to expect when receiving care. Creating a compliant health and safety policy and providing appropriate training are essential steps in meeting these obligations. By embedding health and safety into everyday practice, you can safeguard your team and patients while demonstrating compliance during inspections.