Updated 7 October 2022
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 20 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.
- The practice 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 practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- 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.
Background
Purity is in Dudley and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.
The dental team includes 9 dentists, including 2 specialists and 1 foundation dentist, 7 dental nurses, (2 qualified and 5 trainee), 1 dental therapist, 2 receptionists and a practice manager who is also a qualified dental nurse. The practice has 6 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 1 dental nurse, 2 receptionists and the practice manager. The head of clinical compliance and a compliance manager employed by Rodericks were also in attendance during this inspection. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 8pm and Wednesday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm.
The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, stickers were in place to remind staff to turn lights off when they were not in the room. Sustainability was discussed during practice meetings; staff were encouraged to recycle as much as possible and only provide information in paper format where absolutely necessary.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’ In particular, ensure that hot water temperatures are within the required temperature range.