20 April 2022
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 20 April 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three 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 clinics appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The infection control procedures reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. Not all staff involved in conscious sedation had completed Immediate Life Support training.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Improvements should be made to increase the security of NHS prescriptions in the practice.
- 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.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.
Background
Clarendon Dental Spa was situated in central Leeds. However, a fire at the practice during the summer of 2021 has rendered the dental practice unusable. As a result, services were moved to four other dental practices in the Leeds area where dental treatment rooms are currently being rented and services delivered by staff from Clarendon Dental Spa. The provider hopes to move all services back to one location later in 2022.
Services are currently being offered at:
Paediatrics and oral surgery including conscious sedation at Beeston Hill Health Centre, Leeds LS11 8LH.
General NHS and Private dentistry at The Langdale Dental Practice, Leeds LS6 3HA.
General NHS dentistry and Orthodontics at Genix Healthcare Dental Clinic, Garforth LS25 1AA.
Dental Hygiene at City Smile Dental, Leeds LS1 2DR.
During the inspection we visited all the sites. The dental teams included two dentists, one orthodontist, one dental hygiene therapist, eight dental nurses including one trainee, one decontamination nurse, a locum dental nurse and the practice manager.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental hygiene therapist, seven dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
Opening times for the different dental practices varied, as did the days on which services were offered.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure staff involved in sedation have received Immediate Life Support (ILS) training to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.