Rivenhall Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 1 February 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 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 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:

• 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, apart from two items which were not available in the recommended quantities. These were ordered immediately.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. They should review their risk management systems in relation to fire and sharps’ injury prevention.
• 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 had information governance arrangements.

Background

Rivenhall Dental Practice is in Cramlington 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 are available near the practice.

The dental team includes 11 dentists, a dental hygienist, 16 dental nurses who also undertake reception duties, a dedicated receptionist, a decontamination assistant and two practice administrators. The practice has eight treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with five dentists, four dental nurses, the decontamination assistant and the practice administrators. 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 5pm.

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

• Take action to ensure an adequate fire safety risk assessment is completed for the practice and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.
• Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, in particular ensure hand sanitiser products are stored securely.