Valley Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 15 January 2024 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 and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
• Safeguarding processes were in place. There was scope to ensure all 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

Valley Dental Practice is in Clacton on Sea, Essex and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 7 dental nurses ( including 1 trainee dental nurse ) , 1 dental hygienist, 1 deputy practice manager and 3 receptionists. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 3 dental nurses, the dental hygienist, and the deputy practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday from 8.15am to 7pm.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 5.30pm.

Friday from 8.15am to 1pm.

Saturday and Sunday, emergency appointments only.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, reducing printing of documents, turning electricity off when not required and recycling where possible.

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

• Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
• Improve the practice's protocols for medicines management and ensure all medicines are stored, logged and dispensed of safely and securely.
• Improve the practice protocols regarding auditing patient dental care records to check that necessary information is recorded.