Updated 31 March 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 1 March 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:
• 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:
- The dental clinic appeared to be 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.
- 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.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health. However, improvements were needed to ensure that all the recommended information was suitably recorded within the dental care records.
- Improvements were needed to ensure all routine testing of equipment and installation assessments were carried out as required.
- The practice had some systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff, however improvements could be made in relation to the management of sharps and the handling of substances hazardous to health.
Background
Shakespeare Street Dental Practice is in Newcastle upon Tyne and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
The practice is located on the first floor of a converted historic building. There is a lift available to patients, however the practice does not have step-free access. The practice has made some adjustments to support patients with additional needs, for example forms are available in large font.
The dental team includes one dentist and one dental nurse. The practice has one treatment room.
During the inspection we spoke with the dentist and the dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday from 09.00am to 5.30pm
Tuesday from 09.00am to 4.00pm
Wednesday from 09.00am to 6.00pm
Friday from 08.30am to 5.00pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice's systems for checking and monitoring equipment taking into account relevant guidance and ensure that all equipment is well maintained. In particular, the routine soil testing was not being undertaken for the ultrasonic bath and the fixed wiring electrical installation assessment had not been carried out.
- Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, improvements could be made to the sharps risk assessment to ensure it considers the risks from all forms of sharps.
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
- Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken and available for all substances.