Pitsea Dental Surgery

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 1 November 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.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were not always available.
• The practice systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff were not robust or effective. Specifically, fire safety and legionella management.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Staff recruitment procedures did not reflect current legislation.
• Patient dental care records did not comply with recommended guidance.
• 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.
• Effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement were not in place.
• Patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had some information governance arrangements.

Background

Pitsea Dental Surgery is in Pitsea, Basildon, Essex 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 practice has made some adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 2 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 3 receptionists and 1 support worker. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 2 dental nurses, 2 receptionists and an external compliance advisor. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. The practice is closed daily between 1pm to 2 pm.

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

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

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

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

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records. In addition, ensure the clinicians adopt an individual risk-based approach to patient recalls taking into account the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
• Take action to ensure clinicians record in the patients’ dental care records or elsewhere the reason for taking X-rays, a report on the findings and the quality of the image in compliance with Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017.
• Take action to ensure dentists are aware of the guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment .