Stratford House Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 11 July 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 infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. We found that oropharyngeal airways had expired, replacements were ordered following our inspection.

• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment, and the premises. We identified shortfalls in assessing and mitigating risks in relation to fire safety, prescription management and safe handling and disposal of sharps.

• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had a recruitment policy to help them employ suitable staff, although this had not always been followed. Required pre-employment checks, including references, employment history and immunisation records had not always been obtained for new staff.
• 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.
• Governance arrangements in the practice required strengthening.

Background

The provider has 2 practices, and this report is about Stratford House Dental practice.

Stratford House Dental Practice is in Wolverton, Milton Keynes and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

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

The dental team includes 6 dentists, 2 foundation dentists, 1 dental hygiene therapist, 8 qualified dental nurses, 5 trainee dental nurses, 1 receptionist and 4 practice managers. The practice has 6 treatment rooms.

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

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5.30pm

Friday from 9am to 5.15pm.

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:

• Implement an effective system for monitoring and recording the fridge temperature to ensure that medicines and dental care products are being stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.
• Implement an effective system of checks of medical emergency equipment and medicines taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK).