Updated 31 August 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 2 August 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. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- 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.
- Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.
Background
Together Dental South Benfleet is part of Together Dental, a group dental provider.
The practice is in the South Benfleet, Essex and provides NHS and private dental care treatment for adults and children.
Public transport, bus and train services are located close to the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 11 dentists, 3 dental hygienists, 2 qualified dental nurses and 1 trainee dental nurse. The clinical team are supported by the practice manager and 2 receptionists.
The practice team are supported by a head of compliance and a compliance manager.
The practice has 6 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 dental hygienist, 1 dental nurse, 1 trainee dental nurse, 1 receptionist, and the practice manager. We also spoke with the head of compliance and the compliance manager.
We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
9am to 7.30pm on Mondays
9am to 5.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
9am to 8pm on Thursdays
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
- Improve the practice’s arrangements for ensuring good governance and leadership are sustained in the longer term. In particular, improvements to the systems for clinical audit.