Kingsclere Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 28 November 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 some 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 some information governance arrangements.

Background

Kingsclere Dental Practice is part of Envisage Dental UK Limited, a dental group provider.

Kingsclere Dental Practice is in Alton, Hampshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

Due to the layout of the building, there is no step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. However, the practice is in the process of making reasonable adjustments such as ramp access to support patients with access requirements.

Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes 4 dentists, 2 qualified dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, 1 dental hygienists, 2 dental therapists, 1 practice manager and 2 receptionists. The practice has 7 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 1 receptionist 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 8am - 5pm

Tuesday 8am - 5pm

Wednesday 8am - 5pm

Thursday 8am - 5pm

Friday 8am - 5pm

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

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’
• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.
• Implement protocols in guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office. In particular, appointing a Data Protection Officer and having privacy notices in place.