Dental Harmony

We carried out this announced inspection on 12 October 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 Care Quality Commission, (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 three 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 this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Dental Harmony practice is based in Peterborough and provides private dental care treatment for patients. The dental team includes three dentists, three trainee dental nurses and a receptionist. The practice has three treatment rooms.

There is ramp access to the premises for wheelchair users, and an accessible toilet. Parking for blue badge holders is available directly on-street outside the practice.

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 practice is the owner of the company.

The practice is open on Mondays to Fridays, from 8.30am to 5pm.

During the inspection we spoke with the practice owner, two dentists and three trainee dental nurses. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

Our key findings were:

• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.

• Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.

• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment. In particular, ensuring all X-ray units have rectangular collimation and the radiation protection supervisor has appropriate training for their role.

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice when completing dental care records. Particularly in relation to the staging and grading of periodontal disease.