Yourdentist (Lancaster) Limited

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 10 May 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• 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 dental clinic was visibly clean and well-maintained.
• Some infection control procedures did not follow published guidance.
• Some staff could not fully demonstrate how they would deal with medical emergencies. All appropriate medicines were available for use in an emergency, but all items of life-saving equipment, as listed in recognised guidance, were not available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff; our findings were that these were not always maintained and followed.
• 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; these were not always followed.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines; some of the safety steps in patient treatment, were not observed and followed.
• 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.
• Leadership lacked impact.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements, which meant patient information remained confidential.

Background

YourDentist (Lancaster) Limited is in Lancaster and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The entrance to the practice is via a set of stairs; there is no level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice in pay and display car parks.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, two dental nurses, one of whom no longer carries out dental nursing, and a dental therapist. The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, the two dental nurses and the dental therapist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Care and treatment must be provided in a safe way for service users.
• Systems or processes must be established and operated effectively to ensure compliance with the requirements of the fundamental standards as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008

Full details of the regulations the provider is not meeting are at the end of this report.