Updated 6 January 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 30 November 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 asked the following 5 questions:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive?
• 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.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines were available. Except for 1 item all emergency equipment was in place.
- The practice had some systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. Safer sharps risk management and prescription security protocols could be improved.
- 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.
- Systems for monitoring equipment and facilities to ensure they are well maintained could be improved.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Improvements could be made to the level of detail recorded in patient care records.
- 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.
- The practice arrangements for effective leadership, oversight and governance could be improved.
- Quality assurance systems could be improved.
- 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.
Background
Orgreave Dental Practice is in Handsworth, Sheffield and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step access into the practice, people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs are assisted into the practice by available staff. Car parking spaces are available near the practice on local side roads.
The dental team includes 2 dentists and 2 dental nurses. The practice is currently using a dental nurse agency to manage staffing gaps. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with both dentists, 1 dental nurse and 2 agency dental nurses. 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
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice.
- Review the practice's systems for checking and monitoring equipment and facilities taking into account relevant guidance and ensure they are well maintained. In particular: documentation to support the bunson burner gas supply maintenance records and the electrical installation condition report.
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
- Take action to ensure audits of radiography, antimicrobial prescribing and infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.