• Dentist
  • Dentist

Miss S. P. Meads & Associates Dental Practice

17-19 Gould Road, Walderslade, Chatham, Kent, ME5 8DP (01634) 201636

Provided and run by:
Miss Sally Meads

All Inspections

30 August 2023

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We undertook a follow up focused inspection of Miss S. P. Meads & Associates Dental Practice on 30 August 2023. This inspection was carried out to review the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements.

The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who had remote access to a specialist dental advisor.

We had previously undertaken a comprehensive inspection of Miss S. P. Meads & Associates Dental Practice on 14 February 2023 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We found the registered provider was not providing safe and well-led care and was in breach of regulations 12. Safe care and treatment and 17 Good governance of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

You can read our report of that inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for Miss S. P. Meads & Associates Dental Practice on our website www.cqc.org.uk.

When 1 or more of the 5 questions are not met we require the service to make improvements and send us an action plan. We then inspect again after a reasonable interval, focusing on the area(s) where improvement was required.

As part of this inspection we asked:

  • Is it safe?
  • Is it well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

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

The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 14 February 2023.

Are services well-led?

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

The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breach/es we found at our inspection on 14 February 2023.

Background

Miss S. P. Meads & Associates Dental Practice is in Chatham, Kent and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with specific needs.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 3 registered dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, a dental hygienist, and a practice manager. Reception duties are shared by the dental nursing staff. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with a dentist, and the practice manager, who is also the head nurse. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

  • Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
  • Friday 9am to 4pm
  • The practice is closed for lunch Monday to Thursday between 1pm to 2pm and 1.30pm to 2pm on Friday.

14 February 2023

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 14 February 2023 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, the following 3 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 clean and well-maintained.
  • The practice had infection control procedures which did not reflect published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. This required some improvements.
  • The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment, and the premises.
  • Safeguarding processes required improvement as not all the information was available. We were assured staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
  • The practice had staff recruitment procedures which did not reflect current legislation.
  • Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
  • Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
  • The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
  • The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
  • Staff felt involved, supported, and worked as a team.
  • Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
  • Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
  • The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Miss S P Meads and Associates Dental Practice is in Chatham and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 3 registered dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, a dental hygienist, and a practice manager. Reception duties are shared by the dental nursing staff. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with a dentist, 3 dental nurses, the dental hygienist, and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures, and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

  • Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
  • Friday 9am to 4pm
  • The practice is closed for lunch Monday to Thursday between 1pm to 2pm and 1.30pm to 2pm on Friday.

We identified regulations the provider was/is not complying with. They must:

  • Care and treatment must be provided in a safe way for service users.
  • Systems or processes must be established and operated effectively to ensure compliance with the requirements of the fundamental standards as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.

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

  • Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.

11 July 2013

During a routine inspection

We found that people had been provided with appropriate information and support in relation to their care. People's views and experiences had been taken into account through regular patient surveys. We saw that changes had been made as a result of some patients' comments.

People could have confidential conversations with staff in private and one patient we spoke with said: 'I definitely feel respected here'. We saw that treatment was explained and choices offered. Patients signed to show their agreement with the treatment given.

We looked at patient records and found that full medical histories had been recorded and were regularly updated to keep people safe from inappropriate treatment. Patients who were in pain could make 'same day' appointments to be seen.

People told us that they felt safe and cared for when using the service and staff had all received the appropriate adult and child protection training.

We found that the service was clean and hygienic with structured processes for decontamination and infection control.

Regular audits had highlighted areas for improvement and the provider took action when necessary. We checked that there was an effective complaints procedure in place. People told us that they knew how to complain but had not had cause to.