Updated 14 October 2021
We undertook a follow up focused inspection of Ilford Dental Practice on 25 August 2021. This inspection was carried out to review in detail the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements.
The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist advisor.
We undertook a comprehensive inspection of Ilford Dental Practice on 10 June 2021 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We found the registered provider was not providing safe, effective and well led care and was in breach of Regulations 12- Safe Care and Treatment and 17- Good Governance of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can read our report of that inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for Dental Surgery on our website www.cqc.org.uk.
As part of this inspection we asked:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it well-led?
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations. The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 10 June 2021.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 10 June 2021.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 10 June 2021.
Background
Ilford Dental Practice is in the London Borough of Redbridge and provides private dental treatment to adults and children. The practice is accessible by Transport for London rail and bus services and is within easy access to local amenities including banks, supermarkets and a post office. The practice is not suitable for people who are in wheelchairs as there is no lift on the premise to access treatment rooms on the first floor. Paid parking spaces are available near the practice.
The practice is located on the first floor of the building which is accessed using two flights of stairs. The first floor has four treatment rooms (two viable-one functional), a treatment room which is now the decontamination room, an office area used for storage, a toilet, reception area and a waiting area.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal and only dentist there and is supported by two GDC registered dental nurses- one of whom serves as the reception staff and was furloughed at the time of our inspection. The principal dentist who is the responsible individual has a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
The practice is open Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 3pm. When the practice is closed, out of hours services are provided by the NHS 111 services.
The provider did not have a practice website at the time of the inspection.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist and the dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
Our key findings were:
- The practice still needed redecoration, refurnishing and general refurbishment.
- There were now arrangements in place to monitor staff training.
- Improvements were made in relation to infection prevention and control and fire safety.
- The practice had some policies and procedures to govern activities, however some were not current.
- The disposal of clinical waste had improved.
- Equipment such as the autoclave, ultrasonic bath, dental chair, suction and compressor were now serviced as per manufacturer’s guidance.
- Arrangements to assess and mitigate risks of fire at the practice had improved.
- Arrangements were now in place to ensure the safety of X-ray equipment.
- Emergency equipment and medicines were now available as described in recognised guidance.
- Improvements were still needed to ensure dental care records were stored properly and as per recommended guidance.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment, namely, local rules in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice when completing dental care records.
- Take action to ensure the practice stores dental care records securely.