- Dentist
North Hykeham Health Centre
Report from 24 March 2025 assessment
Contents
Judgements
Our view of the service
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.
People's experience of this service
Two weeks before our on-site assessment, we asked the practice to encourage patients to share their views of the service with us. Patient feedback provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice.
Patients commented positively about the standards of cleanliness.
Patients felt able to book appointments within an acceptable timescale for their needs and said they had enough time during their appointment without feeling rushed.
Patients told us they were given clear information to help them make an informed choice about their treatment. They were involved in decisions about their care.
Patients told us that when they were prescribed medicines, sufficient information was given.
Patients told us that they were supported to maintain their oral health and were provided with appropriate information and resources.
The practice shared patient feedback with the team. We were told this was reviewed and where suggestions had been made, appropriate action would be taken.