Updated 18 January 2022
We carried out this announced inspection on 20 December 2021 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 provider 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.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we asked the following three questions:
• 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:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Quantock View Dental Centre is in North Petherton and provides 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 dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes five dentists, one foundation dentist (a graduate dentist in their first year of clinical practice), two visiting dentists who provide dental implants, three dental hygienists, six dental nurses, two trainee dental nurses, three receptionists, one cleaner, one practice manager and one regional support manager. The practice has five treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Quantock View Dental Centre is the regional support manager.
During the inspection we spoke with the practice owner (who is the principal dentist), three dentists, one foundation dentist, four dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, two receptionists, the practice manager and regional manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm. (There are some occasional extended opening hours on Mondays for dental implant services).
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.
There was an area where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice’s sharps risk assessment to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.