Updated 13 September 2023
We undertook a follow up focused inspection of Miss S. P. Meads & Associates Dental Practice on 30 August 2023. This inspection was carried out to review the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements.
The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who had remote access to a specialist dental advisor.
We had previously undertaken a comprehensive inspection of Miss S. P. Meads & Associates Dental Practice on 14 February 2023 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We found the registered provider was not providing safe and well-led care and was in breach of regulations 12. Safe care and treatment and 17 Good governance of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
You can read our report of that inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for Miss S. P. Meads & Associates Dental Practice on our website www.cqc.org.uk.
When 1 or more of the 5 questions are not met we require the service to make improvements and send us an action plan. We then inspect again after a reasonable interval, focusing on the area(s) where improvement was required.
As part of this inspection we asked:
- Is it safe?
- Is it well-led?
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 14 February 2023.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breach/es we found at our inspection on 14 February 2023.
Background
Miss S. P. Meads & Associates Dental Practice is in Chatham, Kent 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, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with specific needs.
The dental team includes 3 dentists, 3 registered dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, a dental hygienist, and a practice manager. Reception duties are shared by the dental nursing staff. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with a dentist, and the practice manager, who is also the head nurse. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
- Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
- Friday 9am to 4pm
- The practice is closed for lunch Monday to Thursday between 1pm to 2pm and 1.30pm to 2pm on Friday.