Park Dental Studio

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 29 June 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 dirty, was not well-maintained. Cleaning procedures were not effective.
• The practice infection control procedures where ineffective and did not reflect published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were not available. In particular; clear face masks for self-inflating bag all sizes from 0 to 4 were missing. There was no size 0 oropharyngeal airway. There was no spacer device for the asthma medication. Both the midazolam (a medication that is commonly used as emergency treatment for seizures) and the Epi pen (a medication that can help decrease the body's allergic reaction) were past their expiry date..
• The practice systems to manage risk to patients and staff were not robust or effective.
• There were safeguarding processes in place. However, not all staff had received training in, or could demonstrate an understanding of their responsibilities for, safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice staff recruitment procedures did not reflect current legislation.
• Clinical staff did not always provide or record patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• We did not see evidence that staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• Leadership was not effective and did not demonstrate a commitment to developing a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were not dealt with positively, efficiently or in an open manner. The provider and staff did not have an understanding of or commitment to Duty of Candour.

Background

The provider has one practice under this registration and this report is about Park Dental Studio.

Park Dental Studio is in Skegness, Lincolnshire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice. The practice has made some reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes three dentists, three trainee dental nurses, one dental hygienist, one dental therapist, a practice manager and two receptionists. The practice has four treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses, one receptionist, the practice manager and a manager from the providers other location, which is registered under a different name. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday from 8am to 6.30pm.

Tuesday from 8am to 8pm.

Wednesday from 8am to 6.30pm.

Thursday from 8am to 6.30pm.

Friday from 8am to 8pm.

Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm.

Sunday from 9am to 1pm (every other week).

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way for service users.

Ensure standards of hygiene appropriate for the purposes for which the premises were being used are in place.

Ensure that all premises used by the service were properly maintained

Ensure systems and processes that enable the registered person to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services being provided are in place.