Updated 17 June 2021
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 24 May 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.
As part of this inspection we 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:
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
Walsall Family dental practice is in Walsall and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes six dentists, nine dental nurses, including seven trainee dental nurses, a practice manager (who is also the registered manager) and a receptionist. The practice has four treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a partnership 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 Walsall Family dental practice is the practice manager.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, the registered manager and the practice manager from another practice associated with Walsall Family dental practice. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm
Saturday from 9am to 2pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- 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.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. However, improvements could be made to appraisal processes.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Develop systems to ensure an effective process is established for the on-going assessment, supervision and appraisal of all staff.
- Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.