Grovefield Dental Surgery & North Norfolk Dental Implant Centre

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 19 April 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.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Recruitment procedures were not robust and inadequate checks were undertaken on new staff.

Background

Grovefield Dental Surgery & North Norfolk Dental Implant Centre provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. In addition to general dentistry, the practice also offers dental implants and sedation services.

The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements including ramp access and a ground floor treatment room.

The dental team includes 4 dentists, a dental hygienist, 3 dental nurses, a receptionist and a practice manager.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, the practice manager, 2 dental nurses and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open Mondays to Fridays from 8.30 am to 5pm.

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

• Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.

• Take action to ensure that out of date glucagon is identified and strengthen the security of privately issued prescriptions.

• Take action to ensure dentists are aware of the guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment.

• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and ensure all X-ray units have a rectangular collimator.