The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Dentalcare Pangbourne

17 Reading Road, Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8 7LU (0118) 984 5894

Provided and run by:
Dentalcare Limited

All Inspections

14 November 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 14 November 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 some 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 some 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.
  • 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.
  • There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • 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 some information governance arrangements.

Background

Dentalcare Pangbourne is part of Dental Care Group, a dental group provider. The practice is in Berkshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children. It also provides NHS dental care treatment for adults and children. The practice is currently only accepting new child patients for NHS treatment.

There is step free 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 access requirements.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 2 dental nurses, 5 trainee dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, 1 dental therapist, 1 practice manager, 1 support staff and 2 receptionists. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses 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 8am - 5pm

Tuesday 8am - 5pm

Wednesday 8am - 7pm

Thursday 8am - 5pm

Friday 8am - 5pm

Saturday 9am - 4pm

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

  • 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.’
  • Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure the products are stored securely.
  • Implement protocols for the use of closed circuit television cameras taking into account the guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office.

9 February 2015

During an inspection in response to concerns

We carried out a visit to Dentalcare Pangbourne on 9 February 2015 because we had received information of concern relating to standards of cleanliness at the practice. During the visit we spoke with the owner of the practice, the practice manager and two of the four staff working on the day. We did not speak with patients because it was not appropriate to the regulations under review.

We found the standards of general cleanliness in both general areas and the dentists' surgery rooms was unsatisfactory and cleaning equipment in use was not fit for purpose. However, the practice took immediate action to improve the standards and we received evidence that confirmed the action had been taken. A deep clean of surgery rooms was undertaken and new cleaning equipment was purchased.

The practice had gone through a period of management change and staff we spoke with told us the support they received when starting work at the practice had been inconsistent. However, support to staff was improving.

7 February 2013

During a routine inspection

The patients we spoke with were happy with the service provided by Dentalcare Pangbourne.

People felt they had been consulted about their treatment needs, informed of the options and about the costs. People's consent to treatment and their medical history were recorded.

Patients found the staff friendly and said that the dentists were gentle and good with people who might have a fear of visiting the dentist.

The staff maintained appropriate infection control measures and the new manager had made improvements to how these were recorded and audited. The practice manager was registered at another of the provider's dental practices but was about to apply to become registered manager at the Pangbourne surgery as well.

Staff had received appropriate ongoing training to perform their role and were given guidance on how to do so.

The provider could further promote the seeking of feedback from patients to enable them to obtain more structured feedback on the performance of the practice.