Updated 30 September 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 22 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:
• 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 dental clinic was visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. Improvements could be made to prescription security and sharps risk management.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Guidance relating to the British Society of Periodontology was not being fully applied.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. We noted improvements could be made to the practice’s audit systems.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
The provider has two practices and this report is about M Foster Dental Surgeon Limited.
M Foster Dental Surgeon Limited is in Rotherham and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is ramp access to the rear of the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available at the practice or nearby on local car parks.
The practice has made adjustments to support patients with additional needs, for example, there is an accessible toilet, ramp access, a hearing loop and magnifying glasses on reception. Treatment rooms were large and had wheelchair accessible dental chairs. Patient information leaflets had been translated into commonly used languages in the community, for example, Polish and Romanian to support their non-English speaking patients.
The dental team includes four dentists, five dental nurses (two of whom are trainees), one dental hygienist and a practice manager who also covers reception duties. The practice has three treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, one dental nurse, the dental hygienist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice to ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use
- Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry
- Take action to ensure the clinician carries out patient assessments and ensure they are in compliance with current legislation, taking into account relevant nationally recognised evidence-based guidance, in particular, the British Society of Periodontology