The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Ashford Dental Care - Practice

Ashford Dental Care - CCRD, 8 New Rents, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1JJ (01233) 639289

Provided and run by:
Dr. Dipesh Patel

All Inspections

15 July 2021

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this announced inspection on 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 always ask 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

Ashford Dental Care is in Ashford and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

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

The dental team includes four dentists, two dental nurses, one registered and one student nurse, a dental hygienist, a dental technician, a practice manager and a receptionist. The practice has four treatment rooms, one of which is currently decommissioned.

The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Ashford Dental Care is one of the principal dentists.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, two dental nurses, the receptionist 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 to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm

Our key findings were:

  • The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
  • 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 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 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.

19 August 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with four patients who used the practice and they told us they were very satisfied with the treatment and care they received. They said they never had to wait long for appointments, and in an emergency they were always seen quickly.

Patients said their treatment plans were always explained and discussed with them, including choices about treatment and costs. One patient told us 'it was all explained to me very clearly; I knew exactly what the costs would be'.

They said that staff were always friendly and helpful and always ready to explain their treatment and answer any questions they had. One patient we spoke with said 'I find them very professional and very pleasant'. Another patient told us 'they are marvellous; I can't praise them enough'.

We found that oral health care advice was provided by the practice and patients' medical information was kept up-to-date.

Patients told us they felt safe and well cared for by the dental team and we found that the practice had arrangements in place to minimise identified risks as far as possible.

Patients told us that the practice was always clean, and that they had no concerns regarding cross infection. We found that arrangements were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service that the practice provided.

9 March 2012

During a routine inspection

People told us they were very satisfied with the practice. They said they never had to wait long for appointments, and in an emergency they have always been seen the same day. People said their treatment plans were always explained and discussed with them, including choices about treatment and costs. People said that the practice was always clean, and all the staff were friendly, welcoming and respectful.