Dental Suite

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 20 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 appeared to be 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 which reflected current legislation.
• 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.
• 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.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has two practices, and this report is about Dental Suite.

Dental Suite is in Milton Keynes and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice has an additional NHS contract to provide minor oral surgery procedures with sedation if required for adults.

There is level access 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 practice was undergoing major refurbishment works at the time of inspection which includes providing fully disabled accessible toilet facilities, improved access to people with disabilities with a push button door entry system and an additional floor for staff to include a training room. The practice was intending to use this to establish a training programme for dental nurses. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs including providing a hearing loop.

The dental team includes two oral surgeons, eight dentists, including a dentist with special interests and a dental sedationist, eight dental nurses including two dental nurse trainees, two decontamination nurses, two dental hygienists, and six receptionists. In addition, the practice shares with it’s sister practice, one practice manager, one business manager, the business owner and a clinical director who provides clinical leadership for both practices. The practice has seven treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, three dental nurses, one decontamination nurse, one dental hygienist, one receptionist, the practice owner, the business manager 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 8.45am to 5.30pm

Friday from 8.45am to 5pm

Saturdays from 8.45am to 5pm as required for the minor oral surgery and sedation clinic only.

We noted innovative approaches to providing person centred care. For example, the practice had recently joined a local network for children so that children who were vulnerable or at risk could be referred to practice.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, the practice was now paperless for patient records.