The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Exeter Advanced Dentistry

54 Longbrook Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 6AH (01392) 202007

Provided and run by:
Exeter Advanced Dentistry

All Inspections

1 March 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 1 March 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• 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:

  • The dental clinic appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
  • The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Arrangement were made to ensure appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. Improvements could be made to manage Midazolam reconciling and administration and sharps risks.
  • Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
  • The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
  • 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.
  • There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • 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.

Background

The provider has one practice and this report is about Exeter Advanced Dentistry.

Exeter Advanced Dentistry is in Exeter and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There are some steps to the practice. The practice is not suitable for people who use wheelchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes nine dentists, two dental hygienists, six dental nurses and three apprentice nurses, six receptionists, one patient coordinator and a practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with five dentists, five dental nurses, one receptionist, one business manager and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday 8:30am – 5:30pm

Tuesday 8:30am – 7:30pm

Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm

Thursday 8:30am – 7:30pm

Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

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

  • Improve the practice's protocols for medicines management. In particular, with regard to oversight of Midazolam.
  • Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, by revising the sharp instrument risk assessment and assessing the risk of an emergency medicine held in a delivery form outside of recommended guidance.

18 November 2013

During a routine inspection

This was the practice's first inspection since dental services were required to register with the Care Quality Commission. We were supported during the inspection by a specialist advisor for dentistry to provide observation and analysis of the treatment received by patients as the practice provided specialist dental services.

The practice provided dental services to private patients. During our inspection we spoke with five patients about their experiences of using the service; these people made very positive comments about the practice and the dental care they received. One person told us, 'I've been coming here for many years, I couldn't ask for a better service.' Whilst another person told us, 'I'm always given excellent information about my treatment. I can access emergency treatment when I need it; what more do I want?' Comments written by patients in the practices comments and suggestion book were equally positive, for example, 'What a lovely practice, you inspired my confidence'.

We saw how the practice placed the patient at the centre of their work. Patients received their examinations in private and were greeted by staff in a friendly and personable manner. We asked people how they were involved in their treatment planning and whether they were informed about what the treatment might involve. People told us how the dentists involved them at all times and how they provided information which enabled them to make decisions and choices about their treatment.

We looked at the consultation rooms and other areas of the practice and were satisfied people received safe and effective treatment in a clean and well organised environment. Processes were in place to ensure hygiene standards were maintained to the standards described by the Department of Health. We met and spoke with all the staff working in the practice during our inspection and checked their records to ensure robust recruitment took place.

We found patient records were detailed and were up to date and reflected the treatment received that day. We looked at records relating to the management of the practice and saw these were detailed, current and up to date. The receptionists checked people's information was correct when they arrived for appointments and dentists' updated people's records on their computer record systems after each consultation ensuring patient records were current.