Updated 29 June 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 14 June 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 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.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we asked the following questions:
• 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:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- Infection control procedures reflected published guidance.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The practice had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Staff recruitment procedures reflected current legislation.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
Background
One Dental provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The team includes two dentists, two dental nurses, a practice manager, and a director. The practice has two treatment rooms.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs, but no accessible toilet. Car parking spaces are available just outside the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with the practice manager, the clinical lead, a nurse and one of the directors. 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 9am to 5.30pm, and on Saturdays from 9.30 am to 2pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records. This includes undertaking basic periodontal examinations for children aged 7 years and above and following the recommended periodontal pathways.
- Take action to ensure that anti-biotics are prescribed to patients in line with National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.