During an assessment under our new approach
We carried out this announced on-site assessment on 25 March 2025.
We found the practice had met regulations.
Infection control procedures in place were effective.
The practice had systems to identify and manage risks; improvements should be made to sharps risk management and staff’s Hepatitis B immunity risk awareness.
Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation and there was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidance.
Patients were treated with dignity and respect and at the time of our assessment, could access care, support and treatment when required.
Community Dental Services is part of Community Dental Cervices CIC, a dental group provider. The practice is situated within the North Hykeham Health Centre, Lincolnshire, and provides Special Care NHS dental treatment for adults and children.
The Special Care Service is primarily a ‘referral only’ service for patients that are resident, homeless and for socially excluded patients within the county of Lincolnshire. The service treats patients referred with learning disabilities, severe mental health problems, physically and/or are medically compromised, complex social problems, looked after children and patients with severe dental phobia.
There was step-free access to the health centre and car parking spaces available, including dedicated parking for disabled people, near the practice.
The practice had 2 treatment rooms.At the time of our assessment, there was a total of 14 staff, of which there were 3 dentists (1 dentist was a specialist in special care and 1 dentist was the associate operations director), 1 dental therapist, 5 dental nurses, 2 receptionists, 1 operations support co-ordinator, 1 referral administrator and 1 operations manager. We gathered feedback and spoke to all staff on duty during our assessment.