Updated 14 May 2018
We carried out this announced inspection on 10 April 2018 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 provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five 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:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Mydentist, Fowler Street, South Shields is in South Shields and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.
There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.
The dental team includes five dentists (two of whom are qualified in sedation), eight dental nurses (one of whom has completed their sedation training and four are currently undergoing training), a practice manager and two receptionists. The practice has seven treatment rooms, including a ground floor room for those who require it.
The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at 1a The Dental Practice was the practice manager.
On the day of inspection, we collected seven CQC comment cards filled in by patients
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, three dental nurses, two receptionists and the practice manager. The inspection was supported by the organisation’s regulatory officer.
We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday 09:00 to 17:30
Tuesday 07:45 to 17:30
Wednesday 09:00 to 17.30
Thursday 07:45 to 19:30
Friday 09:00 to 17:00
Saturday 09:00 to 17:00
Our key findings were:
- The practice 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 provider had systems to help them manage risk.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- The practice provided preventive care and support to patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- The practice had suitable information governance arrangements.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.