Drury Lane Dental Care

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 9 February 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, however, improvements were required in relation to the completeness of patient care records.
• 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.
• 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

The provider has 2 practices, and this report is about Drury Lane Dental Care.

Drury Lane Dental Care is in the London Borough of Camden and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The main entrance into the practice has steps; however, there is a step free access to the rear of the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchair. Limited car parking spaces including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available to patients, but must be arranged in advance with the practice.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, 1 associate dentist, 1 visiting prosthodontist specialist, 2 qualified dental nurses, 1 trainee dental nurse, and 2 receptionists. They are supported by a full-time practice manager who is also enrolled on to the dental nursing diploma course. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

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

The practice is open:

Monday 8.30am to 5pm,

Tuesday 8.30am to 7pm and

Wednesday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm.

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

• Improve the practice protocols regarding auditing patient dental care records to check that necessary information is recorded.

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.

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

• Take action to ensure all clinicians are adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting taking into account the guidance issued by the General Dental Council.

• Take action to ensure audits of radiography 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.