Victoria Promenade Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 10 May 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 apart from adult defibrillator pads which were ordered during the inspection.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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.
• 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

The provider has 144 practices and this report is about Victoria Promenade Dental Practice.

Victoria Promenade Dental Practice is in Northampton and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level 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 additional needs.

The dental team includes three dentists and one foundation dentist, three dental nurses, one dental hygienist, two receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists (including the foundation dentist), one dental nurse, two receptionists, the practice manager and a compliance manager from Roderick’s. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

We noted innovative approaches to providing person centred care. For example, plans are in place to provide a weekly fluoride clinic. The practice has the use of a scanner for patients having private orthodontic treatment to show them before and after images of their teeth. The practice will be re-instating children’s days with the next event planned for the June half term. Previously these have included colouring competitions and children are given goodie bags.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, the practice tries to avoid printing out information on paper wherever possible. Staff were instructed to turn the power off to equipment and lighting when not in use and there is signage in place reminding staff of this. Staff are encouraged to recycle as much as possible.

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

• 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. In particular ensuring water reaches the required temperatures as detailed in the legionella risk assessment.

• Take action to ensure the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.