Hemlington Dental Surgery

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 4 December 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 advisor.

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 dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines were available. Improvements could be made to the system for checking medical emergency equipment.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. Improvements could be made to the system for ensuring water temperatures exceed 55°C for the thermic control of Legionella.
• 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.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Hemlington Dental Surgery is part of Dental Design Studio a group dental provider.

The practice is in Middlesbrough and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

Access to the practice is via a flight of stairs, however, a lift is available on certain days for patients who cannot manage the stairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes 1 dentist, 2 qualified dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, 2 dental therapists, 1 receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, 2 dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Improve the system for checking medical emergency equipment taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK).
• 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. In particular, ensuring hot water temperatures exceed 55°C.