The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Aycliffe Dental Practice

2 Faulkner Road, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 4NW (01325) 300225

Provided and run by:
Jeyarajans Dental Care Limited

All Inspections

11/03/2024

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 11 March 2024 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 practice 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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.

Our findings were:

  • The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
  • The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
  • Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
  • The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
  • Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
  • Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
  • The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
  • The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
  • There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
  • Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
  • Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
  • The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Aycliffe Dental Practice is in Newton Aycliffe and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is ramp access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 5 dentists, 3 qualified dental nurses, 4 trainee dental nurses, 3 receptionists and a domestic cleaner. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, a qualified dental nurse, a trainee dental nurse and 2 receptionists. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm

27 September 2013

During a routine inspection

Patients we spoke with were complimentary about the service provided. In patient feedback surveys people said things like, 'Excellent reception staff, always friendly, polite and helpful,' and 'I have never received less than excellent care from the practice,'

Patients said the different treatment options were always explained to them as well as the cost. One person told us, 'I always get an explanation about the treatment and any choices there may be.'

We watched how the staff dealt with patients as they arrived. They were very friendly and polite, putting people at their ease.

We saw there were safeguarding procedures in place. There was also on-going training and support for staff to help keep them up-to-date with best practice. One patient we spoke with commented that the practice was 'very supportive of young people'. if they were worried about anyone they would report it.'

The practice was clean and well maintained with good procedures in place to prevent cross infection. People we spoke with commented on how clean the surgery always was and were complimentary about the environment.

We saw staff at the practice were properly trained, worked to a professional code of conduct and kept their skills updated. Staff told us they felt very supported. One of the dental nurses told us, 'The training we can get access to is very good and it's nice that (the provider) supports staff to go on courses which helps to develop your skills.'

There were measures in place to make sure the quality of the service received by patients was maintained or improved. Patients were regularly asked their views and their responses were used to plan and make improvements.