The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Archived: Shard End Dental Practice

221 Heathway, Shard End, Birmingham, West Midlands, B34 6QU (0121) 747 8227

Provided and run by:
Mr. Vijay Sudra

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

17 January 2017

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 January 2017 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

Shard End Dental Practice has three dentists (the principal, an associate and a foundation dentist), three qualified dental nurses who are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC), two trainee dental nurses and a receptionist. The practice’s opening hours are 8.30am to 5pm on Monday to Thursday and 8am to 4pm on Friday. The practice closes for lunch each day between the hours of 1pm to 2pm.

Shard End Dental Practice provides mainly NHS dental treatments to patients of all ages but also offers private treatment options. The practice has three dental treatment rooms on the ground floor. Sterilisation and packing of dental instruments takes place in a separate decontamination room. There is a reception with adjoining waiting area on the ground floor.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission comments cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We received comments from 62 patients by way of these comment cards and during the inspection we spoke with two patients.

Our key findings were

  • Systems were in place for the recording and learning from significant events and accidents.
  • There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect.
  • The practice was visibly clean and well maintained.
  • Infection control procedures were in place with infection prevention and control audits being undertaken recently. Staff had access to personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons.
  • There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties.
  • Oral health advice and treatment were provided in-line with the ‘Delivering Better Oral Health’ toolkit (DBOH).
  • Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and the provider had emergency equipment in line with the Resuscitation Council (UK) guidelines.
  • Local rules were available in all of the treatment rooms were X-ray machines were located and these had been reviewed in January 2017. Records were not available to demonstrate that mechanical and electrical testing of X-ray equipment had been completed on an annual basis.
  • The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
  • The governance systems were effective.
  • The practice was well-led and there were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice. Staff told us they felt supported, involved and they all worked as a team.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should

  • Review the practice’s procedures for the cleaning and sterilising of dental equipment to ensure suitable procedures are adopted which reduce the risk of splashing contaminated material when dental equipment is rinsed.
  • Review the systems in place to ensure that all dental X-ray equipment receives the necessary service and maintenance so that the practice is in compliance with its legal obligations under Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR) 99 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulation (IRMER) 2000.
  • Review the practice’s responsibilities to the needs of people with a disability and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and ensure a Disability Discrimination Act audit is undertaken for the premises.

17 January 2017

During an inspection of this service

9 January 2014

During a routine inspection

To reach our judgements we spoke to five people using the service. We also spoke to four staff and looked at three staff files. We reviewed documents associated with the running of the service. The practice had two dentists in post.

People told us they were happy with the treatment they received. They felt able to discuss their treatment plans with their dentist. People received care that was assessed and delivered in line with their needs. People were given oral care advice where necessary. One person told us: 'I was impressed by the dentist; he took into account my existing condition.'

People could be confident that their safety was maintained. Vulnerable adults and children who may be at risk of abuse could be confident that staff had the skills to recognise abuse (or the risk of abuse) and report it.

The risk of infection was managed appropriately with the arrangements that were in place in the practice. People told us they thought the practice was always clean. Staff told us they had enough personal protective equipment to reduce the spread of infection. One person told us 'They always give me glasses and bib.'

The practice undertook activities to monitor the quality of the service it provided. People were asked for their opinions. We saw that suggestions were acted on. Staff felt able to make suggestions and information was shared in staff meetings. This demonstrated that the provider conducted audits to ensure that any shortfalls in the service could be addressed. They also listened and acted on feedback.