• Dentist
  • Dentist

Archived: Pollyfield Dental Practice

11 Avon Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 4BL (01237) 421323

Provided and run by:
Miss Antonia Machin

All Inspections

3 April 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

At our previous visit in December 2013 we found that people were not entirely protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because not all documents were stored securely or could be located promptly when required. We visited the practice again and met with the dentist and nurse who work there. They showed us the improvement they had made to the way they stored records, to ensure records were in good order and could be found easily when needed.

At the earlier visit we found that people might not be protected from the risk af abuse because there was no policy or procedure in place with respect to the protection of vulnerable adults. We found at this visit that the policy was in place and the team would be able to respond appropriately in the event of concerns being identified.

13 December 2013

During a routine inspection

We visited the practice and met with the dentist and nurse who work there. We spoke with four people who used the service. We toured the premises and looked at records relating to the running of the service.

People told us that the staff were 'genuine and efficient'. One person said they were 'definitely helpful, this is one of the best dentist practices I have attended.' Another person said the dentist was 'marvellous, so gentle'.

People told us that they had been asked about their general health. One person said the dentist discussed their oral health problems with them, and kept checking the progress of a condition rather than carry out work that might not be necessary.

One person told us they were pleased because when a family member had a 'raging toothache' they had been given an appointment immediately.

The public areas were all on the ground floor and access was easy. The waiting room was warm and comfortable. The premises were kept clean and processes for cleaning instruments after use were in accordance with professional guidelines.

We found that audits had been carried out to check on the safety and quality of the service provided.

We found that staff knew how to implement the child protection policy, but vulnerable adults might not be protected. Systems were not in place to identify potential harm or provide support to adults.

Records were not all complete or stored in a way that enabled staff to retrieve them promptly when necessary.