Updated 31 May 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 13 May 2022 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 adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:
• 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:
- The dental clinic appeared to be visibly 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. However, the process for ensuring that the medicine used to treat low blood sugar (glucagon) was effective needed strengthening.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- 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.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
The provider has one practice, and this report is about Leagrave Dental Sedation Clinic.
Leagrave Dental Sedation Clinic is in Luton and provides private general dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice has NHS contracts to provide Minor Oral Surgery and Sedation for adults and children.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available at the front and the rear of the practice. The practice has made adjustments to support patients with additional needs.
The dental team includes fourteen dentists, a medically qualified sedationist, sixteen dental nurses including four trainee dental nurses, three locum dental nurses, a recovery dental nurse, two dental hygienists, one receptionist, a practice manager and three administrators. The practice has five treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with four dentists, six dental nurses, one administrator, and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 4pm.
Saturdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, the practice had installed motion sensitive lighting in some rooms.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- 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.
- Take action to ensure audits of radiography are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.