The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Barnbrook Dental Practice

25 Denmark Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1SL (01392) 273450

Provided and run by:
Dr Pauline Selley

All Inspections

4 July 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 4 July 2023 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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:

  • The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
  • The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
  • 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.
  • Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
  • Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
  • The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
  • The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
  • There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Barnbrook Dental Practice is in Exeter and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children. There is a small NHS contract.

There is a portable ramp to provide access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs and a ground floor treatment room. The practice is not fully accessible, however. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements, given the building construction design and location.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 1 dental hygienist, 3 dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses and 1 receptionist. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 1 dental hygienist, 2 dental nurses, 1 trainee dental nurse and 1 receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Thursday 8.45am – 1.00pm. 2.00pm – 5.30pm.

Friday 8.30am – 2.00pm.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, there were secure facilities for patients or staff choosing to cycle to the practice and staff uniforms were laundered on-site at the end of the day, reducing the need for staff to complete individual hot wash laundry cycles at home.

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

  • Take action to ensure the practice's fire safety risk assessment is completed by a competent person to ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.

  • Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.

  • Improve the system of monitoring patient referrals to other dental or health care professionals through centrally monitoring, to ensure they are received and acted upon in a timely manner.

  • Develop staff awareness of autism and learning disabilities by ensuring all staff receive appropriate training in this.

6 August 2013

During a routine inspection

This was the practice's first inspection since dental services were required to register with the Care Quality Commission.

During our inspection we spoke with eight patients about their experiences of using the service and without exception these people made very positive comments about the practice and the dental care they received. One person told us, 'I've been coming here for fifty years; I've been treated well and have no complaints about the service I've received.' Whilst another person stated, 'Everyone here is friendly and polite, my concerns [about my oral health] are listened to and I receive a very personalised service.'

We checked and saw that people using the dental practice had access to examinations in private. We asked people how they were involved in their treatment planning and whether they were informed about what the treatment might involve. We saw and heard that they were always involved and were provided with good information which enabled them to make decisions about their treatment. We met and spoke with staff and checked records. We found that patient records were completed well and were up to date.

We looked at the consultation rooms and other areas of the practice and were satisfied that people received safe and effective treatment in a clean environment. Processes were in place to ensure hygiene standards were maintained. We looked at staff recruitment processes and saw that recruitment of staff ensured patients were treated by suitable qualified staff.

We looked at records relating to the management of the practice and saw that these were current and up to date. The receptionists checked people's information was correct when they arrived for appointments and dentists' updated people's records on their computer record system after each consultation ensuring patient records were current.