Chancery Dental

We carried out this announced inspection on 28 September 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

Chancery Dental Practice is based in Thrapston town centre and provides private dental care treatment for adults and children. The dental team includes three dentists, three dental nurses, one dental hygienist, a practice manager and reception staff. The practice has three treatment rooms.

There is level access to the premises for wheelchair users, and an accessible toilet. Parking for Blue Badge holders is available directly outside the practice.

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 Chancery Dental Practice is one of the principal dentists.

The practice is open on Mondays to Fridays from 8.45am to 5.15pm.

During the inspection we spoke with the practice manager, two dentists, the hygienist, two dental nurses, and reception staff. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

Our key findings were:

• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• 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.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• 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 effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.

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

• Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
• Review the practice's Legionella risk assessment and implement any recommended actions, 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 appropriate remedial action is taken if water temperatures do not meet recommended levels.
• Review airflow systems in the decontamination room to ensure good ventilation.