Updated 30 December 2021
We carried out this announced inspection on 7 December 2021 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we asked the following questions:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it well-led?
These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
The Gables is a well-established dental practice that provides both NHS and private treatment to adults and children. The dental team includes four dentists, four hygienists, seven dental nurses and three reception staff. The practice has six treatment rooms. Wheelchair access is available and there are ground floor treatment rooms. The practice has parking facilities to the rear of the premises.
The practice opens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8.15am to 5pm, and on Tuesdays from 8.15 am to 6.45pm. The practice opens one Saturday a month from 8.30 am to 1pm.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at The Gables Dental Practice is the principal dentist.
During our inspection we spoke with three dentists, the treatment co-ordinator, two nurses and reception staff. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidelines.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- Patients received their care and treatment from well supported staff, who enjoyed their work.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the availability of equipment and medicines in the practice to manage medical emergencies, taking into account the guidelines issued by the British National Formulary and the General Dental Council.
- Implement an effective system for monitoring and recording the fridge temperature to ensure that medicines and dental care products are being stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.
- Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.
- Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment and ensure ongoing legionella safety management is effective.
- Improve the practice's systems for checking and monitoring equipment taking into account relevant guidance and ensure that all equipment is well maintained. In particular, five yearly fixed wire testing.