Updated 14 September 2021
We carried out this announced focussed inspection on 4 August 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 always ask the following five 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
Amadent Limited is in Dorchester and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is level access, using a temporary ramp, 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 three dentists, a lead dental nurse, four trainee dental nurses, a dental hygienist, a practice manager and two receptionists. The practice has four 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 Amadent Limited is the principal dentist.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, a lead dental nurse, a trainee dental nurse and a receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
- Monday 8am to 5.30pm
- Tuesday 8am to 5.30pm
- Wednesday 8am to 6pm
- Thursday 8am to 5.30pm
- Friday 8am to 4pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which mainly reflected published guidance. However, we found that the frequency of validation testing was not in line with guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were not all available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. However, improvements should be made to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health file.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- We found some out of date dental materials in treatment rooms.
- 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 dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken and the products are stored securely.
- Take action to ensure the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
- Implement an effective system for identifying, disposing and replenishing of out-of-date stock.
- Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’ in particular the frequency of validation testing.