The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Archived: Mr Gareth Lewis - Beaumont Street

30 Beaumont Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2NY (01865) 552978

Provided and run by:
Mr Gareth Lewis

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

4 April 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

During our last visit to Mr Gareth Lewis on 3rd December 2013 we found that the arrangements for dealing with foreseeable emergencies were not appropriate. For example the oxygen cylinder was difficult to access and some drugs kept for emergency use were out of date. We also found that not all of the Department of Health (DH) guidance for cleaning dental practices and decontaminating dental instruments was being followed. This meant that the risks of cross contamination from cleaning processes and of infection from the process of cleaning dental instruments had not been fully reduced.

The provider told us they had addressed these issues and we carried out this visit to find out if they had done so. The provider had made significant progress to address the issues we found during our previous visit.

At this visit we met with one of the dentists. We observed staff carrying out decontamination of dental instruments and spoke with two members of staff. We did not speak with patients because it was not appropriate to do so.

3 December 2013

During a routine inspection

On the day of our visit we met with Mr Lewis and another of the dentist partners. We spoke with four patients and three members of staff.

Patients were given options and had opportunities to influence their care and treatment. A patient we spoke with told us 'I was given an option to save a tooth instead of having it out. I chose to save it. The outcome has been that I've kept the tooth".

Patients received treatment that was planned and documented. A patient we spoke with told us "even if it's a crown I get a letter telling me what it is and telling me how much it will cost". Treatment plans were held in patient records.

The practice did not have a system in place to deal with medical emergencies that met current professional standards. There was no automated external defibrillator available.

The risk of infection and possible spread of infection had not been minimised. Up to date guidance had not been followed in full. For example, separate cleaning equipment for toilets and clinical rooms was not available.

Staff received training and support appropriate to their roles and responsibilities.

The provider had systems in place to seek and act upon patient views. There were effective policies and procedures in place to maintain services in the event of an emergency. For example, a failure of electricity supply.