Updated 4 July 2018
We carried out this unannounced inspection on 21 June 2018 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions due to concerns received. 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
Cestria Dental Practice is in Chester Le Street and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.
The practice entrance has a small step in front and a portable ramp is available for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Limited car parking spaces are available near the practice; a car park is close by.
The dental team includes the principal dentist, two associate dentists, five dental nurses (two of whom are trainees), a dental hygiene therapist, a practice manager and a receptionist. The practice has three treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed. We also spoke with three patients who provided further information of patient experience using the service.
The practice is open:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm
Tuesday 9am to 8pm
Thursday 9am to 6pm
Saturday – by request
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risks.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures. The process for monitoring Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and immunisation status of staff required reviewing.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The practice had suitable information governance arrangements.
- The practice was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health in line with current guidelines.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.
- Review the practice's policy for hazardous substances identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken.