Aylsham Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 16 March 2022 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 adviser.

We usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The practice had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The practice asked patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

Background

Aylsham Dental Practice Limited provides both NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including parking for people with disabilities, are available nearby in the Market Place.

The dental team includes one dentist, two dental hygienists and three dental nurses. The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, a dental hygienist and two dental nurses. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open on Mondays to Thursdays from 8.30am to 5pm; and on Fridays from 8.30am to 1pm.

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

• Improve and develop the practice's policies and procedures for obtaining patient consent in relation to their dental implant treatment.

• Take action to implement all recommendations from the practice’s most recent radiation safety visit to ensure compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.

• Take action to ensure all clinicians follow the latest NICE guidance in relation to anti-microbial prescribing.