Yeadon Dental Centre

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 20 December 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.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• 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.
• Some improvements should be made to the systems for managing risks to patients and staff.
• 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.
• On the whole, there was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. Where improvements could be made the management team confirmed action would be taken.
• 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

Yeadon Dental Centre is part of Target Dental Limited, a dental group provider. The practice is in Yeadon in Leeds 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. The practice is located close to local transport routes and car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, a practice manager and 2 receptionists. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse and 1 dental hygienist and the practice manager. The group nurse manager and the group operations director were also present on the day of our inspection. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday from 8.30am to 7.00pm

Tuesday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm

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

• Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular relating to the management of dental sharps, fire safety and legionella.
• Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken, the information is easily accessible, and the products are stored securely.
• Improve practice protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development.
• The practice should improve audits to reflect relevant guidance; in particular, for audits of antimicrobial prescribing, radiography and infection prevention and control.