We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 1 March 2023 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 advisor.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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 appeared clean and tidy.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Improvements are required to ensure medical emergency medicines and equipment and within their expiry date and reflect national guidance.
- Improvements are required to the systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. In particular the risks associated with fire and for ensuring facilities are maintained in line with regulations.
- Safeguarding processes were in place for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. Staff had not completed the required level of safeguarding training.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation. Improvements could be made to the process for ensuring all staff have appropriate immunity to Hepatitis B.
- Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
- The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
- Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.
- Improvements are required to ensure the oversight of the risks associated with the carrying out of the regulated activities are appropriately managed.
Background
Green Lane Dental Practice is in Sale and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses and 1 dental hygienist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, both dental nurses and the dental hygienist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:
- Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure dispensed antibiotics are labelled correctly giving due regard to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.