The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Wednesbury Dental Practice

11a-15a Upper High Street, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 7HQ

Provided and run by:
Dr. Lin Chen

All Inspections

19 January 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 19 January 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 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 with the exception of one medicine which was ordered on the day of the inspection.
  • The practice had some systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. We found shortfalls in appropriately assessing and mitigating risks in relation to radiography and care of substances hazardous to health (COSHH).
  • 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. However, the clinicians did not always follow the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
  • 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.
  • The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
  • There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement
  • Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
  • Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.

Background

Wednesbury Dental Practice is in the West Midlands and provides NHS dental care and treatment for adults and children.

Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements. The practice does not offer step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Staff would refer these patients to an accessible surgery.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 5 dental nurses and one locum dental nurse covering maternity leave. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist and 3 dental nurses, one of whom also covered reception and practice manager duties. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 5.30pm

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

  • Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
  • 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 taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.
  • Take action to ensure the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
  • Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken and the products are stored securely.

23 January 2015

During a routine inspection

We carried out a comprehensive inspection of Wednesbury Dental Practice on 23 January 2015.

Wednesbury Dental Practice provides general dentistry under an NHS contract for both adults and children. Private options are available for patients.

The practice is located in one of the main shopping streets in the centre of the town of Wednesbury. The surgery occupies the first floor of the premises and has two treatment rooms.

Wednesbury Dental Practice has two part time dentists and a full time principal dentist. There is also one reception staff and four dental nurses. One of the dental nurses is currently covering the role of practice manager in addition to their clinical duties.

We spoke with three patients who used the service on the day of our inspection and reviewed 42 completed CQC comment cards. Patients we spoke with and those who completed comments cards were positive about the care they received from the practice. They commented that staff were caring, helpful and respectful.

Our key findings were:

  • The practice had systems to monitor patient safety through reporting and learning from incidents and significant events. The practices was aware from patients feedback that the premises needed modernising.
  • The practice carried out assessments and planned treatment in line with current best practice guidance. Staff received training appropriate to their roles and told us they felt well supported to carry out their work.
  • Patients told us they were treated with kindness and respect by staff. Staff were knowledgeable about patient confidentiality and we observed good interaction between staff and patients during the inspection.
  • Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed. There were clear instructions for patients regarding out of hours care.
  • Staff had some lead roles in areas such as induction of new staff and complaints handling and staff were aware who carried out the lead roles. Staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

  • Ensure recommended actions from the Legionella risk assessment are being carried out and logged appropriately.
  • Ensure clinical staff are aware of guidance and advice within the ‘delivering better oral health toolkit’.

23 January 2015

During a routine inspection

We carried out a comprehensive inspection of Wednesbury Dental Practice on 23 January 2015.

Wednesbury Dental Practice provides general dentistry under an NHS contract for both adults and children. Private options are available for patients.

The practice is located in one of the main shopping streets in the centre of the town of Wednesbury. The surgery occupies the first floor of the premises and has two treatment rooms.

Wednesbury Dental Practice has two part time dentists and a full time principal dentist. There is also one reception staff and four dental nurses. One of the dental nurses is currently covering the role of practice manager in addition to their clinical duties.

We spoke with three patients who used the service on the day of our inspection and reviewed 42 completed CQC comment cards. Patients we spoke with and those who completed comments cards were positive about the care they received from the practice. They commented that staff were caring, helpful and respectful.

Our key findings were:

  • The practice had systems to monitor patient safety through reporting and learning from incidents and significant events. The practices was aware from patients feedback that the premises needed modernising.
  • The practice carried out assessments and planned treatment in line with current best practice guidance. Staff received training appropriate to their roles and told us they felt well supported to carry out their work.
  • Patients told us they were treated with kindness and respect by staff. Staff were knowledgeable about patient confidentiality and we observed good interaction between staff and patients during the inspection.
  • Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed. There were clear instructions for patients regarding out of hours care.
  • Staff had some lead roles in areas such as induction of new staff and complaints handling and staff were aware who carried out the lead roles. Staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

  • Ensure recommended actions from the Legionella risk assessment are being carried out and logged appropriately.
  • Ensure clinical staff are aware of guidance and advice within the ‘delivering better oral health toolkit’.

10 February 2014

During a routine inspection

As part of our inspection we spoke with four people who were registered with the practice. We also spoke with the dentist (who was also the provider), the practice manager and the dental nurse. We reviewed four dental records, written policies and procedures and quality audits.

People who used the practice told us that they were happy with the quality of treatment they received. They felt they were given enough information about their treatment options and were able to ask all the questions they wanted to.

People told us that the practice was clean and tidy and that they had no concerns about hygiene.

The practice manager ensured that audits took place to ensure that any areas for improvement were identified.