Archived: Pearldent Dental Surgery

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 22 December 2015 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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 caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive 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 practice is operated by Mrs. Jasbir Kaur Paik and is situated in Stockport. The practice provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for its patient population. Dental care and treatment was provided by four dentists and a dental implantologist. The dentists were supported by the practice team comprising of the practice manager, five dental nurses/receptionists and two dental therapists. The practice is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

We spoke with two patients who used the service on the day of our inspection and reviewed 50 CQC comment cards that had been completed by patients prior to the inspection. The patients we spoke with were very complimentary about the service. They told us they found the staff to be professional, supportive, informative and welcoming. They also said they were treated with dignity and respect. The comments on the CQC comment cards were also very positive about the practice team and the service provided.

Our key findings were:

• There were systems in place for staff to report and learn from incidents. There were sufficient staff on duty to deliver the service. There was enough equipment available for staff to undertake their duties and all equipment had been regularly checked/serviced. Systems were in place to minimise risk including procedures and processes to prevent infections, manage emergencies and safeguard people using the service.

• Patients needs were assessed and dental care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with current guidance and best practice. This included the promotion of good oral health. We saw evidence staff had received training appropriate to their roles and further training needs were identified and planned through the appraisal process. Arrangements were in place to refer patients to specialist dental services where required. Staff clearly understood the importance of obtaining informed consent from patients and how to support patients who may lack the capacity to provide informed consent.

• The patients we spoke with and all the comment cards we reviewed indicated that patients were consistently treated with kindness and respect by staff. We were told that communication with patients and their families and access to the service and to the dentists, was good. Patients reported good access to the practice with same day emergency appointments being available when required.

• The practice had procedures in place to take into account, respond to and learn from patient’s comments, concerns or complaints.

• A clear management structure was in operation. The quality assurance and governance arrangements ensure that responsibilities are clear, quality and performance are regularly considered, and risks are identified, understood and managed. Staff told us that the provider valued their involvement and that their views are reflected in the planning and delivery of the service.

There was one area where the provider could make improvements and should:

Whilst action was being taken to minimise the risk from legionella no record was maintained reflecting the outcome of monthly checks of hot water temperatures at the practice (as identified in the legionella risk assessment). The provider should ensure such a record is maintained to maximise protection from legionella.