The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Mydentist - Cowick Street - Exeter Also known as mydentist

48 Cowick Street, St Thomas, Exeter, Devon, EX4 1AP (01392) 210850

Provided and run by:
Whitecross Dental Care Limited

All Inspections

7 July 2021

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this announced inspection on 7 July 2021 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 provider 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 asked the following three questions:

• 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:

Are services safe?

We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Mydentist – Cowick Street - Exeter is in Exeter and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is one small step to access to the practice. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes seven dentists, three dental nurses, four trainee dental nurses, one dental hygienist, three receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms; two of which are located on the ground floor.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Mydentist – Cowick Street - Exeter is the practice manager.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, three dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, one dental hygienist, one receptionist, the practice manager and the regulatory officer. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday 08:30 – 17:30

Saturday 09:00 – 14:00

Our key findings were:

  • The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
  • The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
  • The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
  • The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
  • Some staff training was identified as overdue.
  • The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and 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 current Covid safety management protocols.
  • The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
  • The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
  • The provider had information governance arrangements.

There was an area where the provider could make improvements. They should:

  • Implement practice protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development.

16 January 2014

During a routine inspection

This was St. Thomas Dental Centre's first inspection since registering with the Care Quality Commission. During our inspection, we checked and were assured that people using the dental practice had access to examinations in private. We asked people how they were involved in their treatment planning and whether they were invited to give feedback about their experiences. We checked how the practice handled any concerns or complaints. We saw the complaints process was open and transparent and dedicated to resolving issues to the satisfaction of the person raising the issue.

We met and spoke with staff and checked records. To protect people using the dental services staff working at the practice were trained to recognise signs of patient abuse and knew how to report concerns to the relevant authorities. We toured the premises and were satisfied people received safe and effective treatment in a clean environment.

Following the visit we contacted, with their permission, some people who had attended the practice the week of our visit. We sent an email questionnaire to five people and received three responses. Those people expressed high levels of satisfaction with the practice. Comments included. 'My treatment options are always discussed with me.' 'I cannot fault this surgery.' 'The staff are so nice.'