Updated 3 April 2019
We carried out this announced inspection on 05 March 2019 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 CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five 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:
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
Polesworth Dental Centre is in Tamworth and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children. The services are provided by two individually Care Quality Commission registered providers at this location. This report only relates to the provision of general dental care provided by Mrs. Sarah Ragsdale. An additional report is available in respect of the general dental care services which are registered under Dr Hummera Anjam.
There is a portable ramp which provides access into the building for wheelchair and pushchair users. Car parking spaces, including two for blue badge holders, are available in the car park directly behind the practice.
The dental team includes five dentists, five dental nurses one of whom is a trainee and the practice manager. The team are also supported by an administration support manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
On the day of inspection, we collected 54 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with one patient.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses and an administration support manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday and Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm.
Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.30am to 6pm.
Friday from 8.30am to 3pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared 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 practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. Safeguarding contact details were available in the policy file and treatment rooms. The safeguarding lead was trained to level three in the protection of children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures. We were not shown all staff employment contracts as these had been sent off site for review. Personnel files did not all contain job descriptions and photographic identification, we were informed this would be rectified.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs. Patients could access treatment and urgent and emergency care when required.
- The provider had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.