Clarence House Dental Health Centre

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 21 November 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 was visibly 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 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.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Improvements were required to ensure equipment used at the practice was maintained in line with guidance.
• The practice had not carried out a disability access audit.

Background

This report is about Clarence House Dental Health Centre.

Clarence House Dental Health Centre is in Ilford, in the North East London Borough of Redbridge and provides private dental care and treatment for adults. The provider also has a very small NHS contract which is used to deliver care to children.

The practice is not suitable for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs, instead they are referred to two other local practices that has facilities. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, 1 associate dentist and 2 dental nurses. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist and 1 dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday 8:30am–5:30pm

Tuesday 8:30am–8pm

Wednesday 8:30am–5pm

Thursday 8:30am–5pm

Friday 8:30am–1pm

Saturday 9am–1pm.

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Ensure all premises and equipment used by the service provider is fit for use.

Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment, 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, maintaining written records of the monitoring process.

• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.