Updated 19 January 2023
We carried out this announced inspection on 12 December 2022 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 adviser.
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 was visibly 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 help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- 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. However, improvements were required in regards to recording references of previous employment history.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff 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.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- Improvements were required in regards to the practice’s use of closed-circuit television (CCTV).
- Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
- Improvements were required in regards to ensuring learning points from audits were documented.
Background
HB Dental Practice is in the London Borough of Bromley and provides private dental care and treatment for adults.
The practice is accessible for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice has arrangements to refer patients to accessible practice when this is necessary. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes 4 dentists, a qualified dental nurse, 3 trainee dental nurses , a dental therapist, 2 receptionists and the practice manager. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse, 1 receptionist 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 to Friday 9am to 6pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Implement protocols for the use of closed-circuit television cameras taking into account the guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office
- Improve the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff, including documenting verbal references
- Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
- Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.
- Take action to ensure audits of radiography are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.