Updated 31 March 2020
We carried out this announced inspection on 10 March 2020 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 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:
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
Falkner House Dentistry is a well-established practice that offers mostly NHS treatment to both children and adults. The practice is one of eight that are part of the Antwerp House Group of dental practices in the Cambridge area. The dental team includes seven dentists, six dental nurses, a dental hygienist, reception staff and a practice manager.
There is ramp access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. There are parking spaces for patients just outside the practice.
The practice opens on Mondays from 8am to 7pm; on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8am to 5pm, and on Wednesdays from 8am to 6pm.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist of the Antwerp House Dental Group. He has legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
On the day of inspection, we collected 29 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. We spoke with the operations manager, the stand in practice manager, two dentists, two dental nurses and reception staff. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
Our key findings were:
- Patients were positive about all aspects of the service the practice provided and commented positively on the treatment they received, and of the staff who delivered it.
- Premises and equipment were clean and properly maintained and the practice followed national guidance for cleaning, sterilising and storing dental instruments.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidelines.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice’s sharps procedures and ensure the practice follows the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
- Implement an effective system for recording, investigating and reviewing incidents or significant events with a view to preventing further occurrences and ensuring that improvements are made as a result.
- Implement an effective system to ensure that regular servicing of the practice’s gas boiler is completed.
- Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, in particular cover open brickwork in clinical areas and ensure the clothing worn by staff when carrying out their duties is clean and fit for purpose.