Updated 23 August 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 25 July 2022 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 adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:
• 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:
- The dental clinic was visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. However, infection prevention and control audits were not being completed at the recommended frequency.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. However, the provider was unable to provide evidence to demonstrate that the issues identified in the fire risk assessment had been addressed and improvements were required to the prescription log for security and audit purposes.
- 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.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
The provider has sixteen practices and this report is about Ditchfield Dental Practice.
Ditchfield Dental Practice is in Market Harborough 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 disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made some adjustments to support patients with additional needs.
The dental team includes two dentists, two dental nurses, two dental hygienists, three receptionists and a practice supervisor. The practice has three treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, one dental nurse, one receptionist, the practice supervisor and the registered manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday and Wednesday from 8.30am to 5pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 8.30am to 6pm
Friday from 8.30am to 4pm
Saturday from 8.30am to 2pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.
- Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.
- Take action to ensure audits of radiography and infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. The practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.