Updated 28 September 2017
Northdene Dental practice is in Guilford and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.
There is some level access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including some for patients with disabled badges, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes 8 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 5 trainee dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, 1 practice Co-ordinator and 2 receptionists. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 Northdene dental practice was the principal dentist.
On the day of inspection we collected 41 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with 2 other patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with 4 dentists, 3 dental nurses, 2 receptionists and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday to Friday 08.00 to 17.00.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- 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.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review its responsibilities to the needs of people with a disability, including those with hearing difficulties and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
- Review availability of an interpreter services for patients who do not speak English as a first language.
- Review the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to monitor and track their use.