Updated 21 February 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 7 February 2023 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 5 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 practice had infection control procedures in place. Improvements could be made to the process for ensuring the automatic control test is carried out on the autoclave.
- Emergency equipment and medicines were not available and checked as described in recognised guidance.
- The risks associated with fire and Legionella had not been appropriately managed.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures in place.
- 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.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
Station House Dental Practice is in Barnoldswick and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The service offers dental implants.
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 3 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 2 dental hygiene therapists, 1 receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist (the owner), 2 dental nurses, 1 receptionist 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 9am to 5pm
Saturday 2 per month, 9:00am to 2:00pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the availability of medicines in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the British National Formulary and the General Dental Council.
- Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’ Consistent water temperature checks, responding to temperatures that fall beyond the safe parameters and implement staff training.
- Take action to implement a fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.