Updated 28 January 2022
We carried out this focused announced inspection on 24 November 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 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
Kreate Dental is in Dartford and provides 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 eight dentists (two are visiting specialist clinicians), five dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, two dental hygienists, two receptionists and a practice manager who is a registered dental nurse. The practice has four treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, three dental nurses, 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 and Wednesday 8.45am to 5.30pm
Tuesday and Thursday 8.45am to 8pm
Friday 8.45am to 3.30pm
Saturday by appointment only 9am to 2pm
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. However, five members of staff had not completed safeguarding training to the correct level. We received certification for the five members of staff following our inspection.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which needed improvements. we were sent all of the required documentation following our inspection.
- 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.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided, this required some improvements.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.