Archived: Harworth

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 26 July 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• 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.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies.
• Medicines and life-saving equipment were available but did not fully reflect published guidance. This was addressed on the inspection day.
• Systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff could be improved in some areas.
• 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.
• Improvements could be made to ensure clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines; guidance relating to the British Society of Periodontology was not being fully implemented.
• 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.
• Leadership, clinical oversight and systems to ensure continuous improvement could be improved.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has seven practices and this report is about Harworth Dental Practice.

Harworth Dental Practice is in Harworth, Bircotes, Doncaster and provides NHS dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is on the first floor of a high street shopping complex. People who would find access difficult are referred to a sister practice within the group. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes one dentist, one dental nurse and a receptionist. The practice manager visits the practice weekly and manages the practice remotely from the group head office. The practice has one treatment room.

During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, the dental nurse, the receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday 9am – 5:30pm and offers clinical sessions on Tuesday 9am-1pm and Thursday 2pm-5pm.

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

• Improve the practice's systems for checking and monitoring equipment taking into account relevant guidance and ensure that all equipment is well maintained. In particular, portable appliance testing and recommendations made in equipment maintenance reports.
• Take action to ensure audits of radiography are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
• Take action to ensure the clinician takes into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
• Take action to ensure the clinician carries out patient assessments and ensure they are in compliance with current legislation and take into account relevant nationally recognised evidence-based guidance.