The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Archived: Green Dental Care

171 Carlton Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG3 2FW (0115) 950 7555

Provided and run by:
Mr Kenneth Green

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

All Inspections

2 February 2016

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 2 February 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

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

Are services effective?

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

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

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

Are services well-led?

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

Background

Green Dental Care is situated over two floors of a health centre just outside Nottingham city centre. The practice was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in June 2011. The practice provides regulated dental services to patients from a wide area of Nottingham and the surrounding area. This was because the practice’s location on a main road into the city centre made it relatively easy for patients to attend who were not from the local area. The practice provides mostly NHS dental treatment. Services provided include general dentistry, dental hygiene, crowns and bridges, and root canal treatment.

The practice is open: Mondays to Thursdays: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and Fridays: 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. The practice is closed at the weekend. Access for urgent treatment outside of opening hours is by ringing the practice and following the instructions on the answerphone message. Alternatively NHS patients should ring the 111 telephone number.

The practice has two dentists, one of whom was the principal dentist and owner of the business. There were five dental nurses who also worked on reception, one of whom was on maternity leave. There was one practice manager, an assistant manager and there was one further receptionist and an administrator in charge of training.

We received positive feedback from 17 patients about the services provided. This was through CQC comment cards left at the practice prior to the inspection and by speaking with patients in the practice.

Our key findings were:

  • There were systems in place to record accidents, significant events and complaints, and any learning points from them were identified and shared with staff.
  • The records showed that apologies had been given for any concerns or upset that patients had experienced.
  • There was a whistleblowing policy and procedures and staff were aware of these procedures and how to use them. All staff had access to the whistleblowing policy.
  • Patients spoke positively about the dental service they received.
  • Patients said they were treated with dignity and respect.
  • Records showed there were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
  • There was the necessary equipment for staff to deal with medical emergencies, and staff had been trained how to use that equipment. .
  • The practice followed the relevant guidance from the Department of Health's: ‘Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05) for infection control.
  • Patients’ were involved in discussions about the planning and delivery of care and treatment. Patient recall intervalswere in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.
  • Treatment options were identified, explored and discussed with patients.
  • Patients’ confidentiality was maintained.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

  • Consider installing a hearing loop as a reasonable addition as identified in the Equality Act (2010).

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

During our visit on 14 November 2012 we found concerns that there were no copies of a personal treatment plan (a FP17DC form) kept on the patients' files we also found a copy of the form was not being given to patients as their record of treatment received. This form gives details of a full oral health assessment whether the treatment proposed is NHS or privately funded and the cost of the treatment,. The Form is then signed by the patient to ensure they have understood and accepted the treatment and services associated costs. The patient should then also receive a copy of this form for their records.

The registered person contacted us regarding this matter and informed us that they were now completing a treatment plan for each patient.

We also found concern regarding the appropriate storage of records. We received information from the registered person that demonstrated they were now compliant with this outcome and patient records were stored securely and safely.

14 November 2012

During a routine inspection

The practice consists of two surgeries on the ground floor and is adjoined to a health centre. We saw access for disabled people who could be treated with in their wheelchair or in the easy access dental chair. (This is designed like a normal upright chair with a break at the knee.)

We spoke with two patients and observed a number of other patients visiting the practice to gain their experience.

We saw patients' educational, promotional and reading material was available in the waiting area for patients to use whilst waiting for their appointments. This promoted good oral hygiene.

We spoke to three members of staff who were polite, respectful and considerate to patients needs. Patients' told us they had a good rapport with the staff.

Patients' told us they were treated with respect and dignity when visiting the practice. They said all consultations took place in private. Staff told us there was a room made available if a patient wished to discuss anything in private relating to their appointment or treatment. We saw where consultations took place.

We saw evidence of treatment plans on the files we looked at however, there were no copies available for patients as the appropriate forms were not being used.

We found concerns regarding the storage of records they were not always secured or locked away.