Crofton House Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 7 September 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 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:

• The dental clinic appeared to be 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 not always available as recommended. This was ordered during the inspection.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has one practice and this report is about Crofton House Dental Practice.

Crofton House Dental Practice is in Groby, Leicestershire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people with reduced mobility. However due to the location of the entrance access for people using wheelchairs is not possible. Arrangements were in place to refer patients who could not access the practice to a nearby service. Car parking spaces are available at the practice. The practice has made some reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs such as access to translation services and information provided in text format for people who experience difficulty with their hearing.

The dental team includes one dentist, two dental nurses, one dental hygienist, an administrative and finance support lead and clinical governance lead. The practice has one treatment room.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, two dental nurses and the administrative and finance support lead .We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday and Tuesday from 8.30am to 5.30pm

Wednesday from 9.30am to 5.30pm

Thursday from 8.30am to 2pm

Friday from 8.30am to 4pm

Weekends by prior arrangement.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example; reducing use of paper by having policies and documents online, recycling when possible and selling bamboo toothbrushes to reduce plastic use.