Updated 11 August 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 11 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 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.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- 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.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. However, improvements were needed to ensure that all members of staff received safeguarding training that was relevant and at the suitable level for their role.
- Improvements were needed to ensure that all recruitment checks had been carried out, including satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous employment.
Background
Leigh Dental Practice is in Enfield Town, in the London Borough of Enfield and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available on site.
The dental team includes a principal dentist, four associate dentists, one qualified dental nurse, two trainee dental nurses, one dental hygienist, one clinical dental technician, two receptionists and the practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist and the qualified dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Ensure that all members of staff, including trainee dental nurses, receive safeguarding training that is relevant and at a suitable level for their role.
- Improve the practice`s recruitment policy and procedures to ensure that the necessary recruitment checks are carried out.