Southport Road Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 5 September 2023 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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 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 manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. Improvements could be made to the systems for managing the risks associated with Legionella, fire safety and the use of lasers.
• 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.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Southport Road Dental Practice is in Chorley, Lancashire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children and a small amount of NHS care for children.

There is a ramp to provide access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. On street parking is available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 6 dentists, 8 dental nurses 1 of whom is a trainee, 4 dental hygienists, 1 dental therapist, 1 practice manager, 1 administrative assistant and 2 receptionists. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 2 dental nurses, 1 receptionist, the practice manager and the administrative assistant. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Wednesday 8am to 8pm

Thursday and Friday 9am to 5.30pm

We noted innovative approaches to providing person centred care. For example, the providers had written a book which was provided to nervous patients. This aimed to address common phobias and fears, support patients to overcome these, provide information to patients about the practice, oral hygiene and self-care, and reassuring testimonials from previous patients.

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

• Take action to ensure an up-to-date Legionella risk assessment is in place and any recommendations acted on, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’

• Take action to appoint a competent person to carry out a fire risk assessment taking into account The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of lasers, taking into consideration the guidance 'Lasers, intense light source systems and LEDs: guidance for safe use in medical, surgical, dental and aesthetic practices'.