17 April 2019
During a routine inspection
We carried out this announced inspection on 17 April 2019 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 CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
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:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Bateman & Best dental practice is in Darwen, Lancashire and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children. The practice is part of a pilot Dental Prototype Agreement Scheme to trial a new NHS dental contract.
There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs and a wider access door to the rear of the property for patients with larger wheelchairs. On street parking is available near the practice.
The dental team includes the principal dentist, three associate dentists, two foundation dentists, 13 dental nurses including a trainee dental nurse, two dental hygiene therapists and a foundation hygiene therapist, a reception manager, a receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has six treatment rooms. The service offers dental implants which are provided by a visiting dentist. The principal dentist also provides orthodontic treatment on a private basis to adults.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
On the day of inspection, we collected 26 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.
During the inspection we spoke with five dentists, dental nurses, a receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Mondays 8.45am – 6.30pm
Tuesdays 7.45am – 6.30pm
Wednesdays 7.45am – 5.30pm
Thursdays 8.45am – 5.30pm
Fridays 7.45am – 3.30pm
Saturdays- occasionally by prior arrangement
Our key findings were:
- The premises were 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 practice had systems to help them identify and manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider 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.
- Staff were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The provider had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice’s protocols for ensuring that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
- Review the practice’s protocols for the use of closed-circuit television cameras taking into account the guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office.