Archived: Holly Tree House Dental Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 26 October 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

The practice is located on the ground floor of premises to the north of Nottingham city centre. The practice provides mostly private dental treatments (70%). There is a small car park to the front of the practice or there is street parking in the nearby area. There are three ground floor treatment rooms, although only two are in regular use.

The practice provides regulated dental services to both adults and children. Services provided include general dentistry, dental hygiene, crowns and bridges, and root canal treatment.

The practice’s opening hours are – Monday: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Tuesday: 8:30 am to 7 pm; Wednesday: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Thursday: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Friday: 8:30 am to 1 pm and Saturday by arrangement

Access for urgent treatment outside of opening hours is by telephoning the practice and following the instructions on the answerphone message or by telephoning the 111 NHS service.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons 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 practice has one dentist; one dental hygienist; two dental therapists; and four qualified dental nurses. Dental nurses also worked on the reception desk when required.

We received positive feedback from 51 patients about the services provided. This was by speaking with patients and through comment cards left at the practice prior to the inspection.

Our key findings were:

• The premises were visibly clean and there were systems and processes in place to maintain the cleanliness.
• Records showed there were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Information relating to the Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 needed to be improved.
• Patients commented they had no problem getting an appointment that suited their needs.
• Patients were able to access emergency treatment when they were in pain.
• Patients provided positive feedback about their experiences at the practice. Patients said they were treated with dignity and respect; and the dentist involved them in discussions about treatment options and answered questions.
• Patients’ confidentiality was protected.
• There were systems to record accidents, significant events and complaints, and where learning points were identified these were shared with staff.
• The records showed that apologies had been given for any concerns or upset that patients had experienced at the practice.
• The practice followed the relevant guidance from the Department of Health's: ‘Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05) for infection control with regard to cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments.
• There was a whistleblowing policy accessible to all staff, who were aware of procedures to follow if they had any concerns.
• The practice had the necessary equipment for staff to deal with medical emergencies, and staff had been trained how to use that equipment. This included an automated external defibrillator, oxygen and emergency medicines.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review its responsibilities as regards to the Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and, ensure all documentation is up to date and staff understand how to minimise risks associated with the use of and handling of these substances.

• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental records giving due regard to guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.

• Review its responsibilities to the needs of people with a disability and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and consider installing a hearing induction loop to assist patients and visitors who used a hearing aid.

• Review its audit protocols and where applicable document learning points that are shared with all relevant staff and ensure that the resulting improvements can be demonstrated as part of the audit process.