Dental Arts - Harrogate Also known as Ace Denta Ltd

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breach we found at our inspection on 13 December 2024.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

Systems and processes had been sufficiently implemented and there was significant improvement from the previous inspection. The provider showed understanding of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. They were able to demonstrate sufficient systems to identify where quality and safety were being compromised and to respond appropriately and without delay. Our follow-up inspection indicated no significant issues or omissions.

We found there were improvements to leadership and oversight of the service. The provider had hired a practice manager to help with governance and the day-to-day running of the practice. Processes to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of services provided had improved.

Improvements had been made to the systems and processes to maintain sufficient oversight of the X-ray equipment. The outstanding actions from the X-ray machine’s 3-yearly performance test report dated July 2024 had now been completed.

Systems and processes to maintain sufficient oversight of staffs’ understanding of the medical emergency kit and their ability to respond appropriately to a medical emergency were effective. Staff told us they had recently completed face-to-face medical emergencies training and were confident in managing medical emergencies. The expiry dates of all medical emergency equipment and medicines were logged and regularly reviewed.

The governance system including policies, protocols and procedures was in the process of being moved to a digital platform. The provider was able to demonstrate oversight and ensure staff had access to and were familiar with policies. They demonstrated an effective system to ensure these were reviewed on a regular basis. There was substantial improvement to oversight and assurance processes to ensure all staff recruited had appropriate documentation, and the provider demonstrated understanding of the importance of essential checks. Recruitment documents were well-organised and maintained.

We looked at their updated recruitment policy which was personalised to the practice and included information listed in Schedule 3 of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, such as proof of identity, and enhanced criminal record certificate.

Since our last inspection, a new member of staff had commenced employment, and all the required documents had been obtained. We saw an updated induction checklist for new starters, which included safeguarding.

Systems and processes for ensuring staff training was up-to-date and completed at required intervals had improved and were effective. The provider had oversight of staff training and could see when training was due and who had completed it.
 

There was improvement in systems to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services being provided. Infection prevention and control (IPC) audits, radiography audits, antimicrobial audits and record-keeping audits had been redone since the last inspection. They included action plans and evidence of shared learning. The provider had a system in place to ensure they were repeated at the required intervals.

The practice had also made further improvements to their processes for obtaining patient feedback by putting a suggestions box in the waiting room. Suggestions were regularly reviewed by the whole team.

Improvements had been made to the management of risks related to water systems. Staff responsible for the ongoing monitoring of water systems had completed training and had the knowledge to do so effectively. However, there was still an outstanding action from the Legionella risk assessment completed on 12 September 2024. We discussed this with the provider and were assured this would be addressed promptly.

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.