Updated 4 April 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 28 February 2023 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 practice 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 advisor.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 questions:
- Is it safe?
- Is it effective?
- Is it caring?
- Is it responsive to people’s needs?
- Is it well-led?
These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.
Our findings were:
- The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
- We noted some improvements could be made to ensure infection control procedures reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. Improvements could be made to ensure urgent referrals for hospital assessment have been acted upon.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
- The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
- Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The practice had information governance arrangements.
Background
The provider has three practices, and this report is about Stoneleigh House Dental Practice.
Stoneleigh House Dental Practice is in Williton and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking is at the roadside in the town. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 3 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, 1 receptionist and a practice manager/dental nurse. The practice has three treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 1 receptionist, the practice manager/dental nurse and the regional manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm.
(Closed for lunch between 1:00pm – 2:00pm).
The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, there was a recycling point in the patient waiting room for used dental products, such as toothbrushes. Air and water syringe tips were able to be sterilised in the autoclave and were therefore reusable.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements.
- Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’
- Implement a system to ensure patient referrals to other dental or health care professionals are centrally monitored to ensure they are received in a timely manner and not lost. In particular, with regard to urgent two-week wait referrals.
- Take action to ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.