• Dentist
  • Dentist

Archived: Bowers Way Dental Surgery

29 Bowers Way, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 4EP (01582) 761609

Provided and run by:
Dr. Sophia Mustafa

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

1 June 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 1 June 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 clinic appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
  • The practice had infection control procedures which mostly reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and most life-saving equipment were available. However, the process for ensuring that the medicine used to treat low blood sugar (glucagon) was effective needed strengthening. Missing equipment and an alternative form of the medicine used to treat seizures was obtained after the inspection.
  • The practice had some systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff although there were shortfalls in the management of risk associated with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health for dental products.
  • Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
  • The five yearly electrical fixed wire testing had not been undertaken. This was completed after the inspection.
  • 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.
  • Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
  • Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
  • The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
  • The practice had staff recruitment procedures which mostly reflected current legislation.

Background

The provider has one practice, and this report is about Bowers Way Dental Surgery.

Bowers Way Dental Surgery is in Harpenden and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

Access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs is via a small ramp. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available in a pay and display car park next to the practice. The practice has made some adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes five dentists, three dental nurses, including two dental nurse trainees who also work on reception and two hygienists. The practice has three treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, and two dental nurses. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday and Wednesday from 9am to 5.30pm

Tuesday from 11am to 7pm

Thursday and Friday from 9.30am to 6pm

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

  • Take action to ensure the availability and monitoring of medicines and equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.

  • Ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor NHS prescription pads in the practice and complete an antimicrobial prescribing audit to ensure that clinicians are prescribing in line with current guidance.

  • Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken and the products are stored securely.

  • Take action to ensure dentists are following the guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment.

13 March 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We found the practice to be clean and appropriate cross infection controls where in place so that people were cared for in a clean and safe environment.

People were given appropriate treatment plans and we saw that people had consented to their treatment. People's medical history were current and regularly reviewed and updated. .

Staff were supported to provide good and safe care through ongoing staff training, team meetings and regular appraisals.

We found that the quality of service is monitored through the audit of regular ongoing patient questionnaires.

People that we spoke to stated that they were "happy with the service provided" and that they were "aware of the treatment that they received".

28 November 2013

During a routine inspection

During our visit to this practice on 28 November 2013, we noted that there were some concerns about the standards of cleanliness and hygiene measures in place at the practice. We spoke to the provider about our concerns during our visit and we were ensured that these would be addressed without delay. We found the practice provided a range of dental treatments for people, mainly via an NHS contract.

At the time of our visit there were two dentists working at the practice, along with two dental nurses, and we were told that there were a number of other staff who worked at the practice, including two hygienists, dental nurses and a 'trainee' receptionist.

We spoke with three people using the service at the time of our visit who all told us they were happy with the care and treatment provided. One person was new to the practice andsaid they had been made to feel welcome, with advice given to assist them in making decisions related to their dental care. The other two people told us they had been using the practice for years and were very happy. All those we spoke with said they felt able to raise any concerns if they arose and felt confident these would be addressed.

Staff we spoke with told us they enjoyed working in the practice and felt supported to fulfil their role and continue with professional development.