Updated 16 January 2019
We undertook a focused inspection of Westgate Dental Practice on 6 December 2018
2018.
This inspection was carried out to review in detail the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements.
The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
We undertook a comprehensive inspection of Westgate Dental Practice on 17 July 2018 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We found the registered provider was not providing well led care and was in breach of regulations 12, 17 and 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
You can read our report of that inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for Westgate Dental Practice on our website www.cqc.org.uk.
As part of this inspection we asked:
• Is the practice well-led?
When one or more of the five questions are not met we require the service to make improvements and send us an action plan. We then inspect again after a reasonable interval, focusing on the area where improvement was required.
Our findings were:
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breach we found at our inspection on 17 July 2018.
Background
Westgate Dental Practice is in Newcastle upon Tyne and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.
There is a small step in front of the practice and a portable ramp is available for those who require it. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.
The dental team includes a principal dentist, two associate dentists, four dental nurses (one of whom is a trainee), a dental hygienist, a practice manager and a receptionist. The dental practice is in a three-storey listed building and has four treatment rooms.
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.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, two associate dentists, four dental nurses 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 8.45am to 5.45pmFriday 8.45am to 5pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice had effective leadership.
- A culture of continuous improvement was evident.
- The provider had improved their staff recruitment procedures.
- Training of staff was monitored efficiently.
- Policies were re-written and updated where applicable.
- The provider had improved their systems to help them manage risk.
- Risk assessments were undertaken or updated for legionella, fire, hazardous substances, lone-working and sharps.
- Sedation protocols were reviewed to follow national guidance.
- Infection prevention and control had improved and all sterilisation equipment records were available.
- Medicines and life-saving equipment were available as described in recognised guidance.
- Referrals and prescriptions were monitored efficiently.
- Interpreter services were available for people who needed it.
- Dental professionals were adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting.
- Dental care records were reflective of the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the fire safety risk assessment and ensure that any actions required are complete and ongoing fire safety management is effective.