Barnet Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 1 July 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic was 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 available.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• 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.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
• The practice had systems and processes in place to prevent abuse of vulnerable adults and children. However, improvements were needed to ensure that all members of staff received safeguarding training that was relevant and at a suitable level for their role.
• Improvements were needed to ensure that risk assessments were carried out and reviewed by a person who had the qualifications, skills, competence and experience to do so.
• Improvements were needed to ensure that all recruitment checks were carried out at the time of employment and in line with the relevant regulations.

Background

The provider has three practices and this report is about Barnet Dental Practice.

Barnet Dental Practice is in East Barnet, in the London Borough of Barnet, and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes two principal dentists, five associate dentists, seven dental nurses, a dental hygienist, and three receptionists. They are supported by a full-time practice manager. The practice has five treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one of the principal dentists, one associate dentist, one dental nurse, the dental hygienist 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 Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm.

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

• Ensure that all members of staff, including trainee dental nurses, receive safeguarding training that is relevant and at a suitable level for their role.
• Improve the practice`s recruitment policy and procedures to ensure that the necessary recruitment checks are carried out and accurate and complete records are maintained for all staff.