Ward & Allison Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 18 July 2023 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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 appeared clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Systems had not identified that some equipment and medicines were missing or incorrect.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Documentation regarding the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) did not include product safety data sheets.
• The practice had installed CCTV for security reasons. However, a data protection impact assessment had not been completed.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.

Background

Ward and Allison Dental Practice is in Ilkeston and provides mainly NHS (90%) dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements including having a ramped entrance for wheelchair users, a hearing loop for hearing impaired patients and 2 ground floor treatment rooms and an accessible toilet.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, a visiting implantologist, 2 dental nurses including an apprentice dental nurse, 2 dental therapists, 1 practice manager and a treatment co-ordinator. The practice has 5 treatment rooms, 2 of which are on the ground floor. The practice offers dental treatment under sedation and a visiting implantologist provides a dental implant service.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 dental therapist, the treatment co-ordinator and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30am to 5pm.

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

• Improve the practice's processes for the control of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure safety data information is available for each product.

• Implement protocols for the use of closed-circuit television cameras taking into account the guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office.

• Take action to ensure the availability of medicines and equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the British National Formulary and the General Dental Council.