Updated 18 March 2020
We carried out this announced inspection on the 30 January 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 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 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.
Background
King Dental Practice is in Carnforth and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is a single step access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. There is a portable ramp available. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.
People with a disability permit can park immediately in front of the practice.
The dental team includes four dentists, eight dental nurses, one dental hygienist, one dental hygiene therapist, two receptionists and the practice manager who also acts as a dental nurse. The practice has five treatment rooms, of which one is situated on the ground floor and a further four on the first floor accessible by a steep stairway.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at King Dental Practice is the practice manager.
On the day of inspection, we collected 43 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, three dental nurses, the dental hygienist, the receptionist 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 Thursday 08.30 – 5.00pm
Friday 08.30 – 4.30pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and 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.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.