Archived: Elbow Lane Dental

Updated 10 December 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the practice was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This inspection took place on the 5 November 2015. The inspection team consisted of a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we held about the provider. We informed NHS England area team / Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice; however we did not receive any information of concern from them.

We also reviewed information we asked the provider to send us in advance of the inspection. This included their latest statement of purpose describing their values and their objectives, a record of any complaints received in the last 12 months and details of their staff members, their qualifications and proof of registration with their professional bodies.

During the inspection we toured the premises and spoke with eight practice staff including, the principal dentists, two associate dentists, a dental hygienist, two dental nurses and the practice and reception managers. To assess the quality of care provided we looked at practice policies and protocols and other records relating to the management of the service.

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 therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Updated 10 December 2015

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 5 November 2015 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

Elbow Lane Dental offers both NHS (approximately 50%) and private dental care services to patients of all ages. The services provided include preventative advice and treatment and routine and restorative dental care. Visiting specialists carry out dental implant procedures and provide conscious intravenous (IV) sedation for nervous patients. The practice has two principal dentists, six associate dentists and four qualified dental nurses; in addition to a practice manager, reception manager and two receptionists. Two self-employed part time hygienists provided treatment to both NHS and private patients attending the practice.

The practice has five treatment rooms, a large reception/waiting area and a decontamination room. Treatment and waiting rooms are on the ground floor of the premises. The practice is open on Monday and Friday from 9.00am until 6.00pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.00am until 6.00pm and on Thursday from 9.00am until 7.00pm.

We viewed 45 CQC comment cards that had been left for patients to complete, prior to our visit, about the services provided. In addition we spoke with four patients on the day of our inspection. We reviewed patient feedback gathered by the practice through patient surveys and comments from the NHS Friends and Family Test. Feedback from patients was overwhelmingly positive about the care they received from the practice. They commented staff were caring and respectful and that they had confidence in the dental services provided. Patients told us they had no difficulties in arranging a convenient appointment and that staff put them at ease and listened to their concerns.

Our key findings were:

• There were systems in place to help ensure the safety of staff and patients including health and safety, infection prevention and control and the management of medical emergencies.

• The practice carried out oral health assessments and planned treatment in line with current best practice guidance, for example from the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP). Patient dental care records were detailed and showed on-going monitoring of patients’ oral health.

• Patients commented they felt involved in their treatment and that it was fully explained to them.

• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed. There were clear instructions for patients regarding out of hours care.

• The dental practice had effective clinical governance and risk management structures in place. There were systems to monitor and continually improve the quality of the service; including through a programme of clinical and non-clinical audits.

• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.