Archived: Whitehills Dental Clinic

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 05 July 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 after immediate action was taken as a result of this inspection. Detailed feedback was given to the practice during and following the inspection and a comprehensive action plan was developed and acted upon within a short timescale to address the concerns.

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 after immediate action was taken as a result of this inspection. Detailed feedback was given to the practice during and following the inspection and a comprehensive action plan was developed and acted upon within a short timescale to address the concerns.

Background

Whitehills dental clinic is situated in Hull, Humberside and offers private dental treatments including endodontics, cosmetic dental treatment, orthodontics and preventative advice.

The practice has two surgeries, a decontamination room, a waiting area, a reception area and patient toilets. All facilities are located on the ground floor of the premises.

There is a company director, one associate dentist, three dental nurses (two of which are trainees) and a practice manager.

The opening hours are:

Monday 09:00 – 17:00

Tuesday 10:00 – 19:00

Wednesday Closed

Thursday 10:00 – 18:00

Friday 09:00 – 19:00

Saturday 09:00 – 15:00

The company director is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

During the inspection we received feedback from 11 patients. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice and they told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be professional, courteous, welcoming and helped you relax, they provide a high standard of care and were always treated with dignity and respect.

Our key findings were:

• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• There was a complaints system in place. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services through social media.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect.
• Staff had received safeguarding training; however they knew how to recognise signs of abuse but not how or who to report it to.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice. The policies and procedures were localised to the practice or updated in line with current legislation and guidance.
• The practice had a structured plan in place to audit quality and safety of services provided.

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

• Review the practice’s protocols for recording in the patients’ dental care records or elsewhere the reason for taking the X-ray and quality of the X-ray giving due regard to the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) 2000.
• Review dental care records are maintained appropriately giving due regard to guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.