Updated 17 August 2021
We carried out this announced focussed inspection on the 29 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
Ghyllmount Dental lies on the outskirts of Penrith close to the M6 motorway. The practice provides private dental care and treatment for adults and has an NHS contract for 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 ten dentists, one specialist orthodontist, three dental therapists, one dental hygienist, thirteen dental nurses including three trainees, two dental nurses also work on reception with one other receptionist. There are three administrative staff including the practice manager. The practice has five 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 dentists, dental nurses, a dental hygienist and both the practice and the business managers. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday, Thursday and Friday: 8:45am to 5:15pm
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8am to 8pm
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.
- The provider was pro-active in meeting the needs of people who had dementia and those with autism.
- 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.
We identified an area of notable practice.
- The provider had taken steps to meet the needs of patients who had dementia and those patients who had autism. This had included making physical changes to the dental practice, providing staff training and awareness, and make changes to appointment times and the approach taken by staff.