Fitz Park Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 8 September 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.

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:

• The dental clinic was 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.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff 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.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation; however, improvements could be made to ensure clinical staff had adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Most appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available; items that we noted were missing were ordered immediately.

Background

Fitz Park Dental Practice is in Keswick in Cumbria and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is ramped access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice is located close to local transport routes and car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice had made some adjustments such as ensuring the availability of a hearing induction loop and information in large print to support patients with additional needs. .

The dental team includes two dentists, six dental nurses including four trainees, two dental hygienists, two receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.

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

The practice is open:

Monday from 9am to 7pm.

Tuesday from 9am to 6pm

Wednesday to Friday from 9am to 5pm

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

• Review the practice’s protocols for ensuring that clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases. In particular relating to the records available to demonstrate vaccinations had been carried out.
• Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.