Updated 8 June 2023
We carried out this announced inspection on 2 June 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.
- Improvements were needed to ensure infection prevention and control protocols were in accordance with national guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
- The risks associated with Legionella needed review.
- 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.
- Patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- The practice had information governance arrangements.
Background
York Dental Care is in Clitheroe and provides NHS and some private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step free access to the practice ( via a portable ramp) for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 2 dentists and 3 dental nurses (2 of whom are trainees).
During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist and 2 dental nurses. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open: from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols, in particular the repair and maintenance of the floor to the ground floor surgery and fixtures in the decontamination room.
- Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05’. In particular ensure staff who take the lead on legionella are suitably trained and that when water temperatures fall outside safe parameters action is immediately taken.
- Improve the process for ensuring all clinical staff have evidence of immunity to the Hepatitis B virus.