Archived: Stert Street Dental Practice

We found that the provider had commissioned a legionella risk assessment to ensure that the risk to patients from waterborne bacteria had been minimised. We saw that the risk assessment had identified the water systems to be very low risk and had stated that regular monitoring of the domestic water supply was not necessary. It had recommended that the practice continue to log the daily flushing of dental unit water lines, which the practice had been doing beforehand.

We found that the provider had undertaken an infection control audit in line with the department of health guidance. We saw that where risks had been identified these had been addressed. The provider had implemented an effective audit tool to assess the risk of and prevent, detect and control the spread of infection.

All of the patients we spoke with were very happy with the dental treatment they received. One patient told us 'I've not had any trouble since coming here'. Another patient said 'he [the dentist] takes his time. You don't feel like a number on a conveyor belt. You feel like a person'. We looked at patient records which confirmed the treatment patients said they had received.

Patients we spoke with told us the practice was always clean and tidy. The practice operated some processes, and followed some procedures, that minimised the risk and spread of infection. Current guidelines were followed with respect of decontamination of dental instruments. However, the risk of patients' contracting infection from waterborne bacteria had not been minimised because the practice had not commissioned a legionella risk assessment or implemented a monitoring system.

Staff told us they were supported to carry out their roles. We saw that staff received training specific to their job.

The practice had systems in place to seek and act on patient feedback. However, the practice did not carry out audits to monitor quality of services and clinical work.