Updated 4 October 2022
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 21 September 2022 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 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:
- The dental clinic was visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation. Improvements could be made to ensure all checks are carried out at the point of recruitment.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. Improvements should be made to the system to ensure all equipment is serviced and maintained according to manufacturer’s guidelines and important electrical assessments are undertaken at the required interval.
Background
The provider has 2 practices and this report is about Station Road Dental Practice.
The practice is in Workington in Cumbria and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is ramped access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice is located near local transport routes and car parking spaces are available near the practice.
The dental team includes 4 dentists, 5 dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse, a dental therapist, 3 receptionists, a treatment coordinator and a practice manager. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 1 dental nurse and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Implement an effective system for monitoring and recording the fridge temperature to ensure that medicines and dental care products are being stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.
- Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, ensuring a 5-year fixed wiring assessment is undertaken at the required interval and ensuring the suction motors on the dental chairs and the implant motor are all maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Improve the recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.