Stramongate Dental Surgery

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 2 November 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 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:

• 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 practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures in place. These were not always followed.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• 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.
• Systems were in place to ensure any complaints received would be dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Stramongate Dental Surgery is in Kendal, Cumbria and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is no level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs or those with restricted mobility. Those with pushchairs would be able to navigate the series of small steps to the front door and reception area. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 2 of whom are trainees and 2 receptionists. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse and 1 receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and from 8.30am to 3pm on a Friday.

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 all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
• Take action to ensure audits of radiography and infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.