Together Dental Watton

We carried out this announced inspection on 17 August 2021 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 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 asked the following three questions:

• 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:

Are services safe?

We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Together Dental Watton is based in Watton town centre and provides mostly NHS treatment for adults and children. In addition to general dentistry the practice offers dental implants and sedation services provided by visiting specialists. The dental team includes five dentists, eleven dental nurses, one dental hygienist, two practice managers and reception staff. The practice has eight treatment rooms.

There is ramp access to the premises for wheelchair users, and an accessible toilet.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC 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 Together Dental Watton/ Clarence House Dental Surgery is the practice manager.

The practice is open on Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 5 pm

During the inspection we spoke with both practice managers, two dentists, two dental nurses, one of the provider’s compliance managers manager and reception staff. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

Our key findings were:

• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Provide appraisal and performance review for all staff, including the practice managers

• Take action to ensure that all required information is obtained about visiting specialists to the practice including evidence of their qualifications, professional registration, training and indemnity.

• Implement patient group directions to allow the hygienist to administer local anaesthetics to patients.