We carried out a comprehensive inspection at The Village Dental Practice on 12 May 2015.
The Village Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Bromley and provides private dental services. The demographics of the practice was mixed with patients from a range of backgrounds .The practice is open on Mondays from 6.30pm – 9.30pm, Tuesdays 9.00am-3.00pm and Thursdays 9.00am – 1.00pm. Facilities within the practice include one consultation room, waiting room, two administration offices and toilet facilities.
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 12 May 2015. The inspection took place over one day and was undertaken by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector and dental specialist adviser. We spoke with staff and reviewed policies and procedures and dental records. We were unable to speak with any patients on the day of the inspection; however we received 11 CQC comment cards completed by patients.
The practice team included one dentist and a trainee dental nurse who is also the practice receptionist.
The dentist is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.
We found that this practice was providing effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations. However we found areas that required improvements relating to the safe provision of treatment. This was because the provider did not have equipment or the recommended drugs to deal with medical emergencies in the event of an emergency occurring.
Our key findings were:
- There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection
- Patients’ needs were assessed and care was mostly planned in line with best practice guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
- Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning
- Staff had access to development opportunities
- There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties and equipment was well maintained. However the practice did not have access to an automated external defibrillator and the medical oxygen available on the premises was out of date.
- The provider did not have all emergency medicines in line with the British National Formulary (BNF) guidance for medical emergencies in dental practice.
- Patients commented that staff were caring and treated them with dignity and respect.
- There were processes in place for patients to give their comments and feedback about the service including making complaints and compliments.
- The dentist had a clear vision for the practice. Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice.
We identified a regulation that was not being met and the provider must
- Review availability of equipment to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team. And ensure the availability of emergency medication in line with British National Formulary (BNF) guidelines.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:
- Ensure water used in the ultrasonic bath is changed after every clinical session.