Updated 10 November 2022
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 19 October 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 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 was visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- 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.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Most appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. Improvements should be made to the monitoring protocol to ensure all equipment was available and in date.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risks to patients and staff. Improvements should be made to the system to ensure the risks from all forms of dental sharps and to staff working alone are considered and mitigated.
Background
The Dental Surgery is in Wigton in Cumbria and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is ramp access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice is located near local transport routes and car parking spaces, are available at the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments such as having accessible surgeries and information available in large print to support patients with additional needs.
The dental team includes 8 dentists, 1 foundation dentist, 8 dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, 2 receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has 7 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 4 dentists, 1 dental nurse and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 5pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 7pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the availability of equipment and medicines in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
- Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, in relation to the handling and disposal of dental sharps, staff lone-working and servicing of all equipment.