Headrow Dental Practice

We carried out this announced inspection on 14 March 2019 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 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 that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Headrow Dental Practice is in Leeds city centre and provides private treatment to adults and children.

Due to the nature of the premises wheelchair access is not possible. Wheelchair users of those with limited mobility would be signposted to a local accessible practice. Car parking spaces are available in nearby car parks.

The dental team includes two dentists, four dental nurses who also cover reception duties and a dental hygienist. The practice has three treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Headrow Dental Practice is the principal dentist.

On the day of inspection, we collected 13 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, three dental nurses and the dental hygienist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:30pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. On the day of inspection some medical emergency equipment was not available. These were ordered immediately, and evidence sent.
• Minor improvements could be made to the process for managing the risks associated with fire and Legionella.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• 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 were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider had an accessible complaints policy and procedure.
• The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.

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.
• Review the process for ensuring equipment is maintained according to nationally recognised guidance.