Hatfield Dental

We carried out this announced inspection on 29 June 2021 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 provider 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 asked the following three questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Hatfield Dental Care provides mostly NHS treatment for adults and children. The practice is one of three owned by Experdental Limited.

As the practice is sited above a row of shops, it is not particularly accessible, however wheelchair users are directed to one the provider’s other practices which is. Car parking spaces, including parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice in a public car park.

The dental team includes five dentists, six dental nurses, a part-time practice manager and reception staff. The practice has four treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC 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 Hatfield Dental Care is the practice manager.

The practice is open Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 5.45pm

During the inspection we spoke with the practice manager, three dentists, two dental nurses, and two reception staff. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

Our key findings were:

• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider’s recruitment procedures were thorough and ensured only suitable staff were employed.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

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

• Review the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure they are in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
• Implement an effective system for recording, investigating and reviewing incidents or significant events with a view to preventing further occurrences and ensuring that improvements are made as a result.
• Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, in particular regarding the use of a vacuum steriliser and washer disinfector.