Updated 25 June 2021
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 8 June 2021 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 three 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:
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 well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Market Hill Dental Care is a well-established practice that offers private dental and cosmetic treatment to patients. The practice is one of eight that are part of the Antwerp House Group of dental practices in the Cambridge/Hertfordshire area. It is based in Royston and has three treatment rooms. The dental team includes three dentists, an endodontist, a periodontist, two dental nurses, a practice manager and three dental hygienists.
The practice is open Mondays from 8am to 7pm; Tuesdays from 8am to 5.30pm; Wednesdays from 8.30 am to 5pm, and Fridays from 8.30am to 5pm.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist for the Antwerp House Group. They have 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 spoke with one dentist, the practice manager and two dental nurses. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
Our key findings were:
- Premises and equipment were clean and properly maintained, and the practice followed national guidance for cleaning, sterilising and storing dental instruments.
- 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
- Implement an effective performance appraisal system for all staff
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation and helped ensure only suitable staff were employed.
- Patient complaints were managed positively and empathetically.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve support to the hygienist by providing them with chairside assistance from a trained member of the dental team.
- Implement an effective performance appraisal system for all staff
- Implement anti-microbial audits to ensure clinicians are prescribing to nationally recommended guidance