Whitehill House Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 25 May 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 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 help them manage risk to patients and staff, we noted however that fire safety and water management systems 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.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• Audits were in place; improvements could be made to some audits to drive improvement.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.

Background

Whitehill House Dental Practice is in Halifax and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice does not have level access, therefore is unable to accommodate people who use wheelchairs. Car parking spaces are available on the street outside the practice.

The dental team includes three dentists, six dental nurses, two dental hygienists, a receptionist and practice manager. The practice has five treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, four dental nurses, reception staff and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm

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

• Take action to ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.
• Take action to implement recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment.
• Take action to ensure audits of radiography have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.