The practice is committed to promoting the conservation, sustainable management and improvement of the environment and to minimising the environmental impact of its activities.
Aim of this policy
The aim of this policy is to enable the practice to embrace our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and manage it with the same level of professionalism as other parts of the business. In doing so we hope to fulfil our responsibilities, engage our team and improve our reputation.
Achieving the Goal
In aiming to achieve our goal we address the following 4 areas:
- People & Ethics
- Environment & Sustainability
- Charity & Community
- Communication, Advocacy & Management
Please note that in the sections below ‘B’ stands for basic and ‘A’ stands for advanced
Values Statement
Vision – Charlton Road Dental stands to ensure that it is a positive, kind, safe and caring working environment which encourages career progression for all team members. We aim to provide the very best of modern dentistry to a high level and to allow our patients to make decisions following a full and thorough consent process via patient education.
Values – We value our corporate social responsibility highly. We aim to reduce our carbon footprint where possible, by recycling non clinical waste and reducing energy and water consumption as far as practicable. We ensure our staff are looked after by providing a safe environment and providing physical and mental health support. Dental health is looked after and paid for by the practice Denplan scheme. A life coach is available for all staff that require it as well as referral for medical and mental health services privately through the Denplan GP and counselling scheme. We ensure we support our local community in both charitable fund raising and using local businesses where possible.
Purpose – We aim to provide the very best dentistry to our patients to suit each individuals needs. We aim to understand and meet the needs of our patients, involve them in all decisions about their care and encourage them to participate fully. We involve other professionals in the care of our patients, where this is in the patients best interest – for example, referral for specialist care and advice. We participate in local initiatives to promote the benefits of general and oral health to the wider population. We ensure that all members of the team have the right skills and training to carry out their duties competently. and with confidence. We ensure we are up to date with current national guidelines affecting the way we care for our patients.
People & Ethics
- Leadership & Internal Communication
- B: We have a written structure in place for positive, clear and regular communication
- B: We share our business goals with all staff in team meetings
- B: Regular Staff meetings are held and minuted using iComply templates (G 170-PM1-9
- B: There is a written and spoken commitment to honesty and respect in communication, and this is monitored
- B: There is a written Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy in place (M 233-EQD)
- B: There is a written Children and Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy (M 233-CVP) in place
- B: We have a system in place for internal communications using our WhatsApp group/the team noticeboard
- A: We have created a Vision, Values and Purpose statement for the business which is clearly articulated, understood, and regularly repeated
- A: Each person has a written job description for their role (M 222G-CTH-THP)
- A: There is a formal system in place for giving and receiving feedback
- Patients & Suppliers
- B: We have a price list on display at reception and available on our website
- B: We obtain valid consent for all treatment
- B: We review of Audit of Disability Access (G 180-DAA) on an annual basis and reasonable adjustments are made
- B: We have a system for gathering patient feedback which includes an annual patient survey and a comments box in reception
- B: Information leaflets are readily available in reception to help patients make informed decisions about treatment options
- B: We pay all suppliers are paid within their terms
- A: We use the Patient Satisfaction Poster (G 115E) to inform patients of changes made to the practice following their feedback
- Team Development, remuneration, wellbeing
- B: We have identified the leadership skills required in the business and a development plan is in place
- B: We ensure that all new team members follow an induction programme (M 225A)
- B: We ensure that each team member has a written Personal Development Plan (M 223B-D), which is reviewed and updated annually
- B: We carry out regular staff 1:1s
- B: Each team member receives the living wage as minimum
- B: Written criteria for financial and other rewards are communicated with all staff
- B: All team members are offered access to occupational health
- B: Contracts of employment or agreements are in place for all team members (M 237C-Y –M 245A-F), kept up to date, and adhered to
- B: We retain key statutory documents (e.g. Proof of identification) in staff personnel files and keep them up to date using the Staff File Checklist (M 249)
- B: We have a Staff Handbook (Folder 7) in place containing policies and procedures in line with current employment law and ACAS guidance
- A: We make sure that team members understand how they are going to be developed and what the development track is for their role
- A: We carry out an annual salary review for all employed team members and increases are given where possible
- A: We offer non-financial benefits to the team
- A: A Flexible Working Application Policy (M 233-FWA) is in place and flexible working patterns are encouraged
- Environment & Sustainability
- B: We make sure that all lights, computers and electronic devices are switched off when the practice is closed (apart from critical security lighting)
- B: No plastic bottled water is supplied at the practice and all single use items are bio-plastic or compostable (unless plastic is clinically required)
- B: Recyclable or washable cups are used throughout the building. We do not use disposable cutlery or plates, unless they are recyclable.
- B: We offer recycling of non-clinical waste on site (including paper, plastics, card, cans)
- B: Waste is separated in surgery so that clinical waste is minimised, and a licenced waste carrier is used with relevant Waste Transfer Notes supplied
- B: We only print when necessary and double-sided printing is always used (unless it is critical to use single sheets)
- B: We try only use Fair Trade or Fairly Traded tea, coffee, and sugar
- A: The practice has electricity supplied by a green energy company and we have targets to reduce energy usage annually, and install low energy bulbs throughout
- A: We use medically grade natural cleaning agents rather than chemicals to clean in clinical and non-clinical areas.
- A: We monitor water consumption and have agreed targets to reduce water consumption annually.
- A: All company communications, our website and social media channels display a green message that patients and staff can be informed and encouraged by
- A: We have appointed and trained an on-site “green champion” – Sharon Young – to encourage best practice and share ideas with the team
- A: We are committing to reducing landfill waste and aim to achieve this goal by implementing waste minimisation programmes, composting, monitoring clinical/recycling and general waste quantities and auditing our waste production annually
- Charity & Community
- B: We have chosen to support a different charity each 6 months and have communicated our choice to staff and patients
- B: We also support local charities when they run events
- B: The practice is involved in giving Oral Health education talks to local schools.
- B: We consult our team, on what causes to support, each year at the practice meeting on Managing the Practice (G 170-PM4)
- B: We encourage team members to carry out their own fundraising
- A: The causes we support have been carefully selected to fall in line with our business goals, either through what they do or by benefiting the local community
- A: The causes being supported have been consulted and informed. They know how long they will be supported and the fundraising goal
- A: The charitable giving and supported causes are communicated to patients either in practice, in newsletters, on web & social media
- A: We are committed to direct business giving
- A: We have a detailed annual CSR plan in place with clear goals, objectives and team roles
- A: We have appointed a CSR Champion and committee that helps recommend what causes to support and is responsible for delivering the plan
- Communication, Advocacy & Management
- We have created a CSR page on our website, which covers our values, commitments and what we currently do to meet our goals
- 5-10% of our external communications to patients includes information regarding what we are doing to achieve our CSR goals
