Updated 16 July 2021
We carried out this announced focussed inspection 30 June 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 asked 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
BUPA Dental Care West Bridgford is in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham close to Trent Bridge and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There a fixed ramp giving level access into the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including one dedicated parking place for people with disabilities, are available at the practice.
The dental team includes five dentists, one dental hygienist, six dental nurses including one apprentice, two receptionists and the practice manager. The practice has five treatment rooms, one of which is located on the ground floor.
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 BUPA Dental Care West Bridgford is the practice manager.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental hygienist, three dental nurses, 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 and Friday: 8am to 5pm
Tuesday: 8am to 6pm
Wednesday and Thursday: 8am to 7pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had implemented standard operating procedures in line with national guidance on COVID-19.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- 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 provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
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’. In particular the data logger records relating to the autoclaves should be checked more regularly.