Peel Park Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 26 March 2024 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.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. Improvements should be made in response to fire safety recommendations.
• 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. However, these were not consistently followed.
• 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. The practice could improve the oversight of staff training.
• 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 information governance arrangements.

Background

Peel Park Dental Practice is in Bradford and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice is a foundation training practice. New graduates (foundation dentists) work in approved practices and are supported by General Dental Practitioners who are selected and appointed as educational supervisors.

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

The dental team includes 7 dentists including 2 foundation dentists, 7 dental nurses (4 of whom are trainees), 1 practice manager and 1 receptionist. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses and the practice manager. 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 4.30pm

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

• Improve the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.

• Implement practice protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development.

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.

• Take action to ensure the practice takes into account the needs of patients with disabilities and to comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.