Archived: Trafford Dental Centre

The provider may wish to note the staff handbook referred to the use of yellow bags for disposing of clinical waste when the practice uses orange bags for the disposal of such waste.

We saw the clinical waste bin was closed and locked. The manager told us staff checked the bin on a daily basis to ensure it was locked.

We looked at the recruitment files of two dental nurses. Files contained a completed application form and two references. We saw a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check had been obtained to make sure staff were not barred from working with vulnerable people.

We saw clinical staff had been vaccinated against Hepatitis B to ensure they were protected from the risks of cross infection.

We spoke with patients who told us they were able to get an appointment at a time and date to suit them. The patients we spoke with told us: 'I've been coming here for many years now. All my family come here. I think generally they have a good reputation.' 'There is always a dental nurse present.'

We spoke with patients who told us they were provided with protective goggles and a bib when receiving treatment. Patients confirmed the dentist wore gloves. Comments included: 'I have just come out of my treatment and there was a dental nurse. The dentist had equipment on and gave me some as well'.

We spoke with dental nurses about availability and quality of instruments used in the practice. Comments included: 'We always have more than enough.'

We walked around the practice and looked in three surgeries and the decontamination room. We saw that all areas were clean and tidy. Work surfaces and inspection lights were clean and free from dust and ceramic spittoon bowls were clean and dry.

We saw they had obtained an ultrasonic bath for use in the decontamination of used instruments. Enzymatic cleaning solutions were stored in a cupboard in the decontamination room. We asked one of the dental nurses if they always had access to the appropriate cleaning solutions and they told us: "This is on a regular order from head office we should always have it."

We saw that sterilised instruments were stored in sealed packs that were date stamped. Instruments that were not used within the date on the pack went through the decontamination process again.

There were no patients at the practice at the time of our inspection.

We spoke with five patients and they were generally positive about the service and the staff. One patient described the service as very good and went on to say 'the care and treatment is of a very high standard.'

We looked at cleanliness and infection control and saw that most rooms were clean and tidy and clinical and ordinary waste were dealt with appropriately.

We looked at the decontamination room and found that it was not fit for purpose, due to the flooring not being continuous and impervious, inadequate lighting, lack of correct equipment and processes not being followed correctly.

We saw that the premises were adequately maintained, apart from the area behind the reception desk, where there were a number of health and safety concerns for staff.

We saw that appropriate policies and procedures were in place and staff were aware of and had read them. We spoke with three members of staff, who all felt they were well supported by management and told us that training and development were ongoing.

We saw that complaints were dealt with effectively and that the provider had quality assurance measures in place to continually monitor and improve the service.