Spixworth Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 24 August 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 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:

• The dental clinic appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice had appropriate information governance arrangements in place.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Auditing systems were effective in driving improvement.

Background

Spixworth Dental Practice provides both NHS and private dental care for adults and children.

There is ramp access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs, and a fully accessible toilet.

The dental team includes four dentists, a practice manager, five dental nurses and two reception staff. The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the practice manager, two dentists, two dental nurses and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open on Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 5pm.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Take action to ensure that all staff are familiar and confident in using the AED and oxygen cylinder in the event of a medical emergency.

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's legionella risk assessment.

• Take action to ensure that five yearly fixed wire testing is undertaken.

• Implement a system to ensure that all staff receive regular appraisal of their performance.