EvoDental Leeds Clinic

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 6 December 2023 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. The inspection highlighted some risks in relation to sharps safety and ensuring equipment is serviced in line with manufacturer’s instructions.
• 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.
• 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.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. The process for reporting and acting on significant events should be improved.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• There were systems to deal with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider is part of a dental group provider Evo Dental Centre Limited which has 5 locations registered with the CQC, and this report is about EvoDental Leeds Clinic.

EvoDental Leeds Clinic is in Leeds and provides private dental implants and sedation for adults.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The premises includes a car park including dedicated parking for disabled people. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 4 dental nurses, a business manager, 1 receptionist and 1 patient coordinator. The team is supported by a company senior management team, a clinical leadership team, a business manager, and a group patient coordinator.

The practice has 2 treatment rooms. The practice has onsite dental laboratory facilities with 2 dental lab technicians.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses, the receptionist, the patient coordinator, the business manager, the group patient coordinator, the operations director and the group senior clinician. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Tuesday to Friday 8am to 6pm

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

• Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.

• Improve the practice's systems for checking and monitoring equipment taking into account relevant guidance and ensure that all equipment is well maintained. In particular, servicing of equipment at appropriate intervals.

• Implement an effective system for recording, investigating and reviewing accidents, incidents and significant events with a view to preventing further occurrences and ensuring that improvements are made as a result.