Queens Park Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 2 February 2023 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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 appeared clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. We found these were not always applied effectively.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises were not always effective. Recording of monitoring checks for legionella and fire safety was not always robust.
• 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.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has 1 practice, and this report is about Queens Park Dental Practice.

Queens Park Dental Practice is in Northampton and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is a small step to access to the practice, however a portable ramp is available for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available on the road outside the practice. Designated disabled parking spaces are not available. The practice has made some reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 2 of whom are trainees, 1 practice manager and 1 receptionist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday from 8.45am to 5.30pm.

Friday from 8.45am to 12.45pm.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols 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 all instruments are effectively checked with the magnifying light prior to sterilisation.

• 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 a robust system for recording water temperatures and flushing of seldom used taps is in place.

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.