Newlands Dental Surgery

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 11 October 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 always ask the following five 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 was visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. Systems to ensure decontamination processes were in line with recommended guidance were mostly in place.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Checks of the medical emergency medicines and equipment were not completed at intervals in accordance with published guidance.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures. Staff had worked at the practice for over 20 years. There were no records available to confirm staff vaccines and immunity to Hepatitis B.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• 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.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. However, we found shortfalls with the frequency in which radiography audits were undertaken.
• Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Newlands Dental Surgery is in Witham, Essex and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The entrance to the practice and the reception are on one level, with wheelchair access to the treatment room and an accessible toilet provided by a ramp. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available in pay and display car parks near the practice. The practice is located in a listed building and the practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes 1 dentist and 2 dental nurses. The practice has 1 treatment room.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist and 2 dental nurses. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 4pm.

The practice may open some Saturday mornings where required.

Practice opening hours may differ due to demand.

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

• Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
• Take action to ensure audits of radiography are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. In addition, implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
• Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’.