Updated 22 May 2017
Background
Kinsgclere Dental Practice is in Alton and provides private treatment to patients of all ages.
Whilst the access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs is not level the approach stairs have been specially designed to provide easier access for those who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including spaces for patients with disabled badges, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes four dentists, one head dental nurse, two dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, two dental hygienists, three receptionists, one manager and one administration clerk. The practice has five treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration has a person registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 Kingsclere dental practice was the principal dentist/partner.
On the day of inspection we collected 38 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with five other patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, one head dental nurse, one dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, one dental hygiene and two receptionists. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8am to 5:15pm, Wednesday 8am to 7:30pm, Friday 8:30am to 4pm and on Saturdays by arrangement.
Our key findings were:
- The practice was clean and well maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- 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.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.