Phillips & Co Cosmetic Dentistry

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on Thursday 16 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 and a second CQC inspector.

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 infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Not all the appropriate life-saving equipment was available in accordance with current guidelines. The checking process could be improved.
• The practice had some systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment, and the premises but improvements were required to ensure processes were effective.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures in place however improvements were required to ensure essential checks are in place.
• 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.
• 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.
• Oversight and management of systems and processes could be improved.

Background

Phillips & Co Cosmetic Dentistry is in Darlington and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs at the rear of the practice and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available for patients upon request. There are pay and display car parking spaces available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 3 dental nurses and 1 receptionist. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists and 1 dental nurse. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday – Thursday from 9am to 5:30pm

Friday from 9am to 2pm

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 was not meeting are at the end of this report.

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

• Improve the practice's risk management systems for monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the carrying on of the regulated activities.
• Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines and patient dental care records taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.