Enhance Dental Centre

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 8 March 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 visibly clean.
• The dental practice was visibly clean.
• The practice’s infection control procedures were not effective.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Staff recruitment procedures were not operated effectively.
• The clinicians provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• 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.
• The provider did not operate effective systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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.

Background

Enhance Dental Centre is in High Wycombe and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice via a portable ramp, for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.

Car parking, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements. These include:

• A hearing loop.
• Accessible toilet.
• Vision aids (a magnifying glass).
• Step free access (via a ramp).

The dental team includes 6 dentists, 1 dental nurse, 4 student dental nurses, 2 dental hygiene therapists and 2 receptionists.

The practice has 5 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses and 2 receptionists.

We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• Monday 9.00am – 5.00pm
• Tuesday 9.00am – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 9.00am – 5.00pm
• Thursday 9.00am – 5.00pm
• Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

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

• Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
• Improve the practice protocols to ensure patient referrals to other dental or health care professionals are centrally monitored to ensure they are received in a timely manner and not lost.