Archived: Dr I Saleem and Colleagues

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 23 November 2015 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

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

Are services effective?

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

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

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

Are services well-led?

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

Background

Dr I Saleem and Colleagues dental practice is situated on a main road in the Longsight area of Manchester. The practice provides predominantly (99%) NHS and some private (1%) dental care and treatment to patients of all ages. There are two treatment rooms and the reception/waiting area on the ground floor of the premises with a further two treatment rooms and a waiting area on the first floor. The dedicated decontamination room is located on the ground floor. The practice occupies a converted commercial premises and has street level access.

The registered provider is the registered person. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We received 35 completed Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards and spoke with three patients during our inspection and all of the feedback was very positive. Patients’ commented about the politeness and friendliness of the staff. The patients we spoke with told us the practice was always clean and tidy.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained. The practice did not have access to an automated external defibrillator (AED). Following the inspection the practice manager confirmed they had ordered an AED.
• There were emergency medicines available for use in the event of a medical emergency. This was in line with the British National Formulary (BNF) guidance for medical emergencies in dental practice.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice including a system of auditing the quality and safety of the service.
• Staff were aware of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and their responsibilities under the Act as it relates to their role.
• There were effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities to protect patients from harm.
• There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. The premises were visibly clean and well maintained.
• Patients gave signed consent before treatment commenced. Patient treatment records were detailed and demonstrated on-going monitoring of patients’ oral health.
• Staff were knowledgeable about patient confidentiality and we observed good interaction between staff and patients during the inspection.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• Patient’s needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current best practice guidance for example from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
• Staff were supported to maintain their continuing professional development (CPD) and had undertaken training appropriate to their roles.
• Patients told us they were treated with kindness and respect by staff.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review availability of equipment to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.
• Ensure they follow their recruitment policy when recruiting and employing new staff.