Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 21 December 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic is located in the town of Farnham. The practice is accessed via steps from the main road or a wheelchair accessible and level entrance at the rear of the practice.This large practice provides private dental treatment including oral surgery, implants periodontics, orthodontics and endodontic treatment to both adults and children. The practice also offers sedation services (Sedation/Conscious sedation is a process in which a combination of medicines is used to help a patient to relax (a sedative) and to block pain (an anaesthetic) during a medical or dental procedure. The patient remains awake during the whole procedure).

The premises are on the ground and first floor. The practice consists of six treatment rooms, an X-ray room, a laboratory, a reception area, a waiting area, and two decontamination rooms. The practice is open on Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

The staff consists of the principal dentist, a managing director/practice manager, seven associate dentists, an orthodontist, a clinical dental technician, three dental hygienists, seven dental nurses, two receptionists, an administrator, a marketing executive and a cleaner.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual ‘registered person’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We reviewed 14 CQC comment cards and spoke to three patients on the day of the inspection. Patients were extremely positive about the service. They were complimentary about the excellent service provided by friendly and caring staff. Patients commented that the care they received was exceptional.

The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

Our key findings were:

• We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and child protection.
• Equipment, such as the autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.

• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.
• Patients indicated that they found the team to be efficient, professional, caring and reassuring.
• Patients had good access to appointments, including emergency appointments, which were available on the same day.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

• The practice had developed and copyrighted a Patient Dental Health Scorecard which was used as a tool to measure outcomes and assess a patient’s own view of their dental health.
• Leadership structures were clear and there were processes in place for dissemination of information and feedback to staff.
• The practice provided the option of sedation to patients and carried this out in line with guidelines from the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry (SAAD).

• The practice had a written sedation and discharge protocol which was followed by staff.

• There were appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies. Staff knew where equipment was stored.