Updated 29 October 2021
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 7 October 2021 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 provider 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 asked the following three questions:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it well-led?
These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Mydentist – St Peter Street -Tiverton is in Tiverton and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There are two steps to enter the practice. The practice has a removable ramp, if required for access. Individual needs are discussed with patients upon enquiry and people are signposted to nearby accessible practices if this is more appropriate. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes four dentists, one dental hygienist, five dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, one receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Mydentist – St Peter Street - Tiverton is the practice manager.
During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, two dental nurses, the practice manager and the regulatory officer for Mydentist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday and Tuesday 8:30am – 6:00pm.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and 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.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.