The Care Quality Commission

Archived: The Cottage Dental Surgery

51 Teme Street, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, WR15 8AE (01584) 811311

Provided and run by:
Dr Ebrahim Jan

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

4 June 2013

During a routine inspection

During the inspection we spoke with the dentist and two dental nurses. On the day of the inspection one of the nurses who was also the practice manager was working on reception. After the inspection we spoke by telephone with six people who had used the practice to ask them about their experiences of the service.

People we spoke with were complimentary about the service they had received. One person told us that they had found the practice to be: 'Excellent'. Other comments included: 'Never had any problems' and: 'I am very pleased'.

Systems were in place to ensure that the practice was clean and that instruments were sterilised. This was to make sure that people were not placed at risk of cross infection.

Staff received a range of training so that they were able to update their skills and knowledge. Some gaps in training provided were acknowledged by the practice manager during our inspection.

There were systems in place that made sure people who used the practice were asked for their views about the service they received. This was so that the provider could use this information to make any necessary improvements. Although auditing systems were in place these could be developed further.

5 January 2012

During a routine inspection

When we arrived at The Cottage we were informed that the practice manager had recently gone on maternity leave. As she was aware of certain aspects of the practice we agreed to meet her the following day. On the first day of our inspection we spoke with the dentist who was working that day, the receptionist and a dental nurse.

While at the surgery we viewed a folder containing questionnaires completed by patients. The most recently completed one was dated October 2011. We saw that questionnaires were readily available on the desk in reception. We also saw further questionnaires in the waiting room and a box for people to place them in. There were no questionnaires in the box.

The people we spoke with when at the surgery were positive about the service they were receiving. One person had attended the surgery for some time while the other person was a new patient. They told us the staff were friendly and polite and that they never had to wait too long in the waiting room before they were seen by the dentist. We received positive comments from people we spoke with on the telephone as well as from the person who e-mailed us. Comments included 'I have every confidence in the staff and the treatment I am receiving' and that the surgery is a 'very friendly place'. Other comments included 'very satisfied', 'treatment very good', ' would give them 10/10', 'comfortable and reassuring' 'really impressed' 'brilliant' and 'can't speak highly enough'.

One person we spoke with told us of their fear of going to the dentist but added that they were 'not worried about going to the practice'.

Some people mentioned that the surgery is helpful about fitting people in at short notice for emergency treatment. People told us that their dentist explained their treatment options to them and that they were given printed information about this and the costs involved.

People said that the practice was clean and that the dentist and nurse wore disposable gloves when providing their treatment. Two of the people we spoke with said that they were provided with goggles to protect their eyes when drilling was taking place.

During our visit we found that some areas around the management of the prevention of cross infection and decontamination of instruments needed to be improved.

We saw certificates on display confirming that one of the dental nurses and the practice manager were registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). The other dental nurse was currently undertaking training and will therefore be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) in due course.

We did not look in detail at staff recruitment or records but identified that formal checks made on staff working at the practice (such as Criminal Records Bureau checks) were not taking place in order to safeguard patients.

Policies and procedures are in place. These are not however specific to The Cottage and covered a range of practices not taking place due to not using that equipment or the lack of CRB's when the policy stated there were in place. There was no evidence that any member of staff had read and understood the policies in use. Systems to ensure the safety of medication also needed to be improved as we found some slightly out of date antibiotics.