Updated 15 January 2020
We carried out this announced inspection on 12 December 2019 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 always ask the following five 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:
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 caring?
We found this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found this practice was providing responsive 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
Kevin Mantles Dental Practice is in Ilkeston in north Derbyshire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is level access in to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. There is roadside car parking available in the area around the practice.
The dental team includes six dentists, seven dental nurses and three receptionists. The practice has five treatment rooms, four of which are located on the ground floor. The practice has centralised decontamination facilities.
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.
On the day of inspection, we collected 22 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with two other patients. Feedback received about the practice was positive.
During the inspection we spoke with four dentists, four dental nurses and one receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday to Friday: from 9am to 5pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures in place which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment was available.
- The provider’s systems for ensuring single use items were not re-used could be improved.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider’s systems for stock control could be improved.
- Improvements were needed to the process for completing root canal treatments.
- A five-year electrical safety certificate was not available for inspection.
- The security of NHS prescription pads could be improved.
- 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 appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had information governance arrangements in place.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice's risk management systems for monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. Particularly in respect of the use of single use items.
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.
- Implement an effective system for identifying, disposing and replenishing of out-of-date stock.
- 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 the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice when completing dental care records.