Mydentist - advanced oral health & orthodontic centre Also known as mydentist

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 28 September 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 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 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 this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Mydentist - advanced oral health & orthodontic centre is in South Shields and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes 14 dentists of which two are orthodontists, one dental implantologist and one has completed a Diploma in conscious sedation. Supporting the dentists are a practice manager, two orthodontic therapists, a treatment co-ordinator, 18 dental nurses, two dental hygienists, a decontamination assistant and four receptionists. The practice has 14 treatment rooms.

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 Mydentist - advanced oral health & orthodontic centre is the practice manager.

During the inspection we spoke with four dentists, four dental nurses, a dental hygienist, a receptionist and the practice manager. The company’s regulatory officer was also present. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8am to 6pm

Tuesday 8am to 8pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• The security and management of clinical waste could be improved.
• The provider had implemented standard operating procedures in line with national guidance on COVID-19. We observed protective face coverings were not worn by all patients.
• 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, however there was inconsistent knowledge of the protocols amongst staff.
• The provider had information governance arrangements.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the practice's waste handling protocols to ensure waste is stored securely and disposed of in compliance with the relevant regulations, and taking into account the guidance issued in the Health Technical Memorandum 07-01.