The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Windsor Road Dental Practice

Ground Floor, 108 Windsor Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2JA (01753) 536619

Provided and run by:
Rodericks Dental Limited

All Inspections

5 August 2022

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 5 August 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 five 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 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.
  • Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
  • The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
  • The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation; however, improvements could be made to ensure staff had adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases or a robust risk assessment was undertaken.
  • There was effective leadership; however, improvements could be made to the auditing protocols to drive continued improvement.

Background

Windsor Road Dental Practice is in Slough in Berkshire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is part of a group with 146 locations at the time of the inspection.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice is located close to local transport links and car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs, for example with the availability of a hearing induction loop and a selection of reading glasses.

The dental team includes three dentists, four dental specialists, one foundation dentist, two dental nurses, five trainee dental nurses, two dental hygienists, three receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, the head of clinical compliance and the compliance manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Wednesday from 8am to 8pm

Thursday and Friday from 8am to 5pm

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

  • Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
  • Improve the practice protocols regarding auditing patient dental care records to check that necessary information is recorded.
  • Implement practice protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development.

3 December 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

When we visited the practice on 23 July 2014, we found patients were not fully protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had not always been followed. We set a compliance action in respect of this. We received an action plan which set out what actions were to be taken, to achieve compliance.

During this inspection we found the practice had taken effective action and achieved compliance.

Staff training and briefing had been undertaken to remind staff of good hand hygiene practices. We found staff were not wearing jewellery to comply with the practice hand hygiene policy.

The processes to ensure the water lines supplying water to dental equipment were free from debris had been updated. The current procedures we reviewed met best practice guidance.

We observed staff following current guidance when cleaning the surgery room between patient treatments.

23 July 2014

During an inspection in response to concerns

In May 2014 we received information that required us to review how the practice followed hygiene and infection control guidance. When we visited the practice in May 2013 we did not look at this aspect of the service. During this visit we spoke with two dental nurses, two dentists and the practice manager. We observed the practice and staff at work during this inspection. It was not necessary to speak with patients.

We found the practice was clean and followed most hygiene and infection control guidance. Checks were made to ensure appropriate standards of cleanliness were maintained. We saw staff followed the protocols for decontaminating dental instruments.

We saw guidance to assist staff in using protective equipment and in washing their hands effectively was displayed.

Some processes involved in the cleaning of surgery rooms were not being followed in accordance with the practice protocols. The practice had carried out an infection control audit but this had not identified some matters which required attention. For example, dental unit water lines were not being flushed through between treatments.

20 May 2013

During a routine inspection

People told us how they were treated by staff. One person said: 'They are very respectful and friendly.' We saw information in the practice leaflet and displayed in the waiting area informed people access to interpretation services was available. The service employed both female and male dentists. This showed the service had taken reasonable steps to meet the needs of people using the service.

People we spoke with told us what happened before treatment was carried out. One person said: 'We had to fill a form which asked what medications we were on.' All patient records viewed had completed medical histories. This showed the service assessed people's needs before carrying out treatment.

Staff demonstrated an understanding of what safeguarding meant, how to recognise signs and who to report them to. This showed staff were able to recognise abuse and knew what to do if it were seen or suspected.

We looked at staff member's files and saw they had been doing the required hours of continual professional development (CPD) training. This showed staff members were supported to meet the professional standards which are a condition of their ability to practise.

We saw completed questionnaires that asked people if they were seen for their appointment on time and if they were aware of who to contact should they wish to make a complaint. This showed the service sought the views of people and those acting on their behalf.