Updated 27 April 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 29 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. The flow of the decontamination process and water temperature monitoring could be improved.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- 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. Rubber dam was not consistently used, and alternative measures were not documented. Systems should be reviewed to ensure audits of clinical care are effective.
- 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.
- 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.
- The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
Padiham Dental Practice is in Burnley and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is a free local car park and additional roadside parking.
The dental team includes three dentists, six dental nurses (one of whom is a trainee), one dental therapist, a practice manager and a practice support manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, three dental nurses, the practice manager, the practice support manager, a company compliance lead and an area manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday 9am to 12:25pm and 1:25pm to 5pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
- 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, ensuring staff responsible for water temperature checks carry out and document these correctly.
- Take action to ensure dentists are aware of the guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment.