Updated 23 January 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 13 December 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 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 to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The infection control procedures reflected published guidance, but staff did not follow decontamination processes consistently.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. There were insufficient quantities of emergency adrenaline. This was addressed immediately.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- 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.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
Wells Road Dental Surgery is in Ilkley and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children and NHS dental care and treatment for children.
The practice is located on the first floor of the premises and is not accessible to people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The dentists can arrange to see patients with mobility problems in the chiropodist’s room on the ground floor of the premises, depending on the treatment need. On street parking and pay and display parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes 3 dentists (2 of which are part-time), 4 dental nurses (including a trainee), 1 part-time dental hygiene therapist and 2 receptionists. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 2 dental nurses and a receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.30pm
Friday 8.30am to 3.30pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’.
- Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
- Implement protocols and procedures in relation to the Accessible Information Standard to ensure that that the requirements are complied with.