the247dentist Southampton

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 21 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 infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff were trained in 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.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• 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

247 Dentist Southampton is part of 247 Dental Limited, a dental group provider.

247 Dentist Southampton is in Southampton. The practice provides private emergency and out of hours dental care on weekends, evenings and bank holidays for adults and children.

247 Dentist locations use ‘host practices’ to provide emergency care. During the day, the host practice operates as a general dental practice. Outside of normal practice hours, the 247 Dentist brings in their own dental team to provide the emergency treatment.

247 Dentist provides a temporary reception with their own phone system, card payment machines, computers and dental software. In addition to this, 247 Dentist provide their own dental equipment and materials. This includes all consumables and dental instruments. 247 Dentist requires use of the host practice’s dental chair, x-ray facilities and decontamination room.

247 Dentist locations have service level agreements in place with the host practice. A Service Level Agreement is the part of a contract which defines exactly what services a service provider will provide and the required level or standard for those services.

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 6 dentists, 5 dental nurses and 1 remote call handler. Staff operate on a weekly rota system.

The service uses 1 treatment room at the host practice.

During the inspection we spoke with the clinical manager, the compliance manager and the assistant clinical director. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday 12am – 4am and 6pm – 11:59pm

Bank Holidays 12am – 11:59pm

Tuesday 12am – 4am and 6pm – 11:59pm

Wednesday 12am – 4am and 6pm – 11:59pm

Thursday 12am – 4am and 6pm – 11:59pm

Friday 12am – 4am and 6pm – 11:59pm

Saturday 12am – 11:59pm

Sunday 12am – 11:59pm

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

• Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, Legionella, fire safety and service level agreements between the provider and host practice.
• Improve the practice's systems for checking and monitoring equipment taking into account relevant guidance and ensure that all equipment is well maintained.
• Implement protocols for the use of closed circuit television cameras taking into account the guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office.