Updated 30 March 2020
We carried out this announced inspection on 13 February 2020 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 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:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Wisdom Dental & Facial Aesthetics Clinic is in Chesterfield, it provides both NHS and private dental treatment adults and children.
There is a removable ramp to gain access in to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes three dentists, two dental hygiene therapists, seven dental nurses, including two apprentice dental nurses, one receptionist and the practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms, one of which is located on the ground floor. The practice has centralised decontamination facilities.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
On the day of inspection, we collected 42 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with two other patients. Feedback received about the practice was positive.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses, one receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday to Thursday: from 9am to 5pm and Friday: from 9am to 1pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- Some improvements were needed to the practice’s infection prevention and control procedures.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- 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.
- Staff did not have all of the emergency equipment as identified in national guidance.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’ In particular in relation to soil tests for the ultrasonic cleaner and procedures within the decontamination room.
- Take action to ensure the availability of equipment to manage medical emergencies, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
- Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.