Updated 7 January 2019
We undertook a follow up focused inspection of Firwood Dental Practice on 7 December 2018. This inspection was carried out to review in detail the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements.
The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
We undertook a comprehensive inspection of Firwood Dental Practice on 8 August 2018
under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We found the registered provider was not providing effective or well led care in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can read our report of that inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for Firwood Dental Practice on our website www.cqc.org.uk.
When one or more of the five questions are not met we require the service to make improvements and send us an action plan. We then inspect again after a reasonable interval, focusing on the areas where improvement was required.
As part of this inspection we asked:
• Is it effective?
• Is it well-led?
Our findings were:
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breach we found at our inspection on 8 August 2018.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breach we found at our inspection on 8 August 2018.
Background
Firwood Dental Practice is in Chadderton and provides private dental treatment to adults and NHS treatment to children.
There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice has two parking spaces, with additional on street parking available nearby.
The dental team includes one dentist, one dental nurse, an apprentice dental nurse and a receptionist. The practice has one treatment room.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Firwood Dental Practice was the dentist.
During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, the dental nurse and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm
Wednesday 9:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm
Friday 9:30am to 2pm
Our key findings were:
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Improvements had been made to the life-saving equipment available.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Improvements had been made to the way that care and treatment was provided and documented.
- Processes were in place for the assessment and monitoring of oral health.
- The provider had engaged with staff and external agencies to implement change.
- Gypsum waste was segregated appropriately.
- Risks relating to sharps and fire safety had been reviewed.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review staff awareness of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Gillick competency, ensuring all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the Act as it relates to their role.
- Review the practice's protocols and procedures to ensure staff registered with the General Dental Council complete a personal development plan in line with the requirements of registration.