Updated 21 March 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 16 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 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 some systems in place to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. Improvements could be made to ensure ongoing fire safety management was effective. In addition, improvements were needed to the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health.
- 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. Improvements could be made to ensure the necessary checks were carried prior to new staff commencing employment.
- 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
Dental Worx Oral Care Limited is in Hayes, in the London Borough of Hillingdon, 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 are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes the principal dentist and 2 receptionists. Currently they use locum dental nurses for chairside support. The practice has 1 treatment room.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, the locum dental nurse and one of the receptionists. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Mondays and Wednesdays from 8.30am to 6.30pm.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Every second Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective, undertake an appropriate risk assessment and implement the recommendations.
- Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.
- Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken and relevant safety data sheets are available to staff.