Diamond Court Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focussed inspection 15 July 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

Diamond Court Dental Practice is located in the centre of the market town of Bakewell in the Derbyshire Peak District and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access into the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including those for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes seven dentists, one dental hygienist, two dental hygiene therapists, thirteen dental nurses four of whom also work as receptionists, two receptionists, two practice managers and a human resources consultant. The practice has six treatment rooms, two of which are located on the ground floor.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, four dental nurses, two receptionists and one of the practice managers. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 9am to 5:30pm

Thursday: 8:15am to 4pm

Friday: 8:30am to 5pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The provider had implemented standard operating procedures in line with national guidance on COVID-19.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• 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 had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Governance procedures could be improved. In particularly identifying improvements through the auditing process.

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

• Review the practice protocols regarding audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.

• Take action to ensure audits documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.