Updated 5 October 2022
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on Sunnyside Dental Centre under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspections to check whether the registered practice was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspections were led by a Care Quality Commission, (CQC), inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
As a result of unforeseen circumstances, the inspection consisted of two site visits undertaken on 11 August 2022 and the 8 September 2022.
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.
- We noted servicing of the air conditioning units had not been undertaken.
- 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 some systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. However we found there were no risk assessments for the use sharp instruments or lone working in the practice.
- 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.
- We found there was a lack of regular audits of radiography, dental care records, disability access and infection prevention and control.
- 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
Sunnyside Dental Centre is in Orsett, Grays, Essex and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is ramp access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available outside the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.
The dental team includes one dentist, three dental nurses including one trainee dental nurse, and one dental therapist who was also the practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, three dental nurses and the dental therapist/practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 3pm.
Friday from 8.30am to 1pm.
Saturday from 9.30am to11.30am (by appointment).
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure audits of radiography, dental care records, disability access and infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Staff should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
- Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, ensure risk assessment of the use of sharp instruments and lone working are undertaken.
- Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’ In particular ensure servicing of the air conditioning units are undertaken.