Archived: The Dental Centre - Carterton

We met with the registered manager and the practice manager during our visit and looked at practice records. We did not speak with patients or staff because it was not appropriate.

The practice had made significant effort and taken action to minimise the risk of patients, and others, contracting an infection from waterborne bacteria. There was evidence that current guidance from the Department of Health had been followed. We saw an up-to-date legionella risk assessment and evidence that the practice had taken action on the recommendations contained within the risk assessment report.

The practice had also revised their cleaning schedules to include a detailed specification of each cleaning job to be carried out in each room and at what frequency. Appropriate monitoring systems to ensure cleaning quality were in place.

Patients were very happy with the dental treatment they received from the practice. A patient told us "She is an excellent dentist as far as I am concerned. Patients told us they could access dental treatment at times to suit their commitments. One patient said "They go out of their way to accommodate me".

Patients we spoke with were happy with cleanliness and hygiene. One of the patients we spoke with said "Gosh you could not ask for a cleaner place'. However, we found that the practice did not operate processes, and follow procedures, that minimised the risk and spread of infection because current guidelines relating to reducing the risk legionella disease were not followed.

Staff told us they were supported to carry out their roles. We saw that staff received training specific to their job and that they received an annual review of their performance.

The practice had systems in place to seek and act on patient feedback and carried out audits to monitor clinical quality.

You can see our judgements on the front page of this report.