The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Hudson's Dental Care

23 Bull Plain, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1DX (01992) 505828

Provided and run by:
Mr. David Hudson

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

We carried out this on-site, announced assessment on 9 September 2024. We found the practice had met all regulations. Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation and there was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. Patients were treated with dignity and respect and at the time of our assessment, could access care, support and treatment when required. Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidance and infection control procedures were in place. The practice had systems to manage risks. The practice is in Hertford and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. There was step free access to the practice and car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, were available near the practice. The practice had 4 treatment rooms. At the time of our assessment, the dental team included 5 dentists, 7 dental nurses, 4 dental hygienists, 1 receptionist and 1 practice manager.

7 April 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

When we previously inspected Hudson's Dental Practice on 10 October 2013 we found that the provider was not compliant with the essential standard relating to the prevention and control of infection. There were also no effective systems in place to act on people's feedback or to monitor the quality of service. We required the provider to take action. When we inspected the service again on 07 April 2014 we saw that improvements had been made.

The decontamination room was newly refurbished and had brand new, safe and hygienic equipment. The dental team worked to revised practice guidelines on infection control and decontamination that were based on the Department of Health guidance.

We saw that a patient survey had been carried out in February 2014 and that the provider was taking steps to act on the findings of the survey. We also saw that the provider had introduced a regime of routine audits, including an infection control audit, designed to assess the quality of a range of key aspects of the practice.

10 October 2013

During a routine inspection

When we inspected Hudson's Dental Practice on 10 October 2013 we reviewed four people's care plans. These showed us that every time people visited the practice their dental health and general well-being was checked to make sure that before any treatment commenced the person was well enough for it to be carried out. We saw from the dental records that treatment options and explanations were given before treatment commenced.

One person said, "I have been coming here for more than thirty years and have always had good service. The dentists are gentle and kind. Everything is explained.' Another told us, 'I haven't been coming here for long, but everyone is nice and the surroundings are very relaxing.'

On the day of our inspection the surgeries and waiting areas were all clean. However, the area where decontamination and sterilisation of instruments took place was visibly dirty. There was no process to ensure the premises were cleaned systematically, or for checking that cleaning had been carried out.

We saw evidence that staff received appropriate professional development and were supported by regular training, updates and annual appraisal. However, the appraisal system was in its early stages and all appraisals were incomplete.

There was no system in place to gain feedback from customers to gauge people's satisfaction. Furthermore, there was no robust system in place to identify risks to people who use the service and measure the quality of service provided.