The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Down Town Dental Practice

19A High Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1BE (01245) 256797

Provided and run by:
Down Town Dental Clinic Limited

All Inspections

23 October 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this inspection to check if the provider had complied with two compliance actions from a previous inspection of the service on 10 April 2013. We spoke with the principal dentist and two members of staff and checked records to make a judgement as to whether the provider was meeting regulation 12 and 21 (HSCA 2008 Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010.

During our inspection on 10 April 2013 we found non-compliance with standards relating to cleanliness and infection control. There was no hand washing basin in the decontamination room. This meant the provider was not meeting essential standards of care in accordance with the Department of Health, Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM01-05). Therefore people could not be sure they were protected from the risk of acquiring a healthcare acquired infection.

At this inspection we found that the dentist had made improvements and is now compliant.

During our inspection on 10 April 2013 we found that effective recruitment and selection processes had not been followed by the provider. During this inspection we found the provider had put in place a system to ensure effective recruitment and selection was adhered to.

10 April 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three patients. They told us staff were helpful and always treated them respectfully. One patient said: 'They always talk to me and put me at ease.'

We saw the practice had a separate decontamination room and that the relevant guidance for cleaning instruments was followed. However there was no dedicated hand washing sink in this area

We found no evidence that a robust recruitment process was in place and that appropriate pre employment checks had not been carried out.

All of the patients we spoke with were very happy with the practice and did not have any concerns or issues about the care received. We saw evidence that the practice had complaints policies and procedures in place.