Updated 27 March 2018
Background
Freshbrook Dental Practice Limited is in Swindon, Wiltshire and provides private treatment to patients of all ages. The practice is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:00am – 5:00pm, Tuesday 8:30 – 7:30pm and Friday 8:00am – 2:30pm.
There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including for patients with disabled badges, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes three associate dentists, four dental nurses, three of whom are also receptionists, a dental hygienist, a practice manager and a business manager. The practice is on the ground floor and has three treatment rooms, a decontamination room and a reception area.
The practice is owned by company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Freshbrook Dental Practice Limited was the practice manager.
On the day of inspection we collected 30 CQC comment cards and reviewed the practice patient satisfaction survey. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, three dental nurses, the practice manager and the business manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
Our key findings were:
- The practice was clean and well maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice’s arrangements for receiving and responding to patient safety alerts, recalls and rapid response reports issued from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and through the Central Alerting System (CAS), as well as from other relevant bodies such as, Public Health England (PHE).
- Review the protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their Continuing Professional Development.
- Review the storage of records related to people employed and the management of regulated activities giving due regard to current legislation and guidance.