Updated 27 August 2019
We carried out this announced inspection on 6th August 2019 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 provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a 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:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
York House Dental Practice is in Chesham and provides NHS treatment to those who are exempt from fees and private treatment to adults and children.
There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking is available near the practice which includes parking for blue badge holders.
The dental team includes eight dentists, five dental nurses, two trainee dental nurses, one dental hygienist and three receptionists. The practice has four treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at York House Dental Practice is the principal dentist.
The practice occupied two former residential dwellings that had been converted into a dental practice many years previously. Various areas of the practice showed high levels of wear and tear.
We were shown plans for the total refurbishment of York House. This was planned to start in the spring of 2020. Considering this planned work, we will not make comment in our report about the state of the building or its fixtures and fittings.
On the day of inspection, we collected 44 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and obtained the views of14 other patients.
During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, three dental nurses, two receptionists 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 08:45 - 17.30
Tuesday 08.45 - 17.30
Wednesday 08.45 - 19.00
Thursday 08.45 - 17.30
Friday 08.45 - 17.30
Saturday 09.00 - 13.00
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies.
- Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice's protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their highly recommended training and their continuing personal development.