Brooklands Dental Clinic Limited

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 16 November 2022 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 practice 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 always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic was visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff 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 of patients’ needs.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The practice is part of a dental group which has 18 practices, and this report is about Brooklands Dental Clinic Limited. Brooklands Dental Clinic Limited is in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including parking for disabled people, are available at the front of the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes 8 dentists, including 4 Specialists in Orthodontics and Periodontics, 6 dental nurses including 2 trainee dental nurses, 1 of whom also works on reception, and a temporary dental nurse, 3 dental hygienists, 1 receptionist, 1 treatment coordinator and a practice manager. The practice is supported by an operations manager, a compliance manager and a clinical advisor from the dental group. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 1 dental nurse, 1 dental hygienist, 1 receptionist, and the practice manager. The compliance manager and the operations manager from the dental group attended the inspection. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 5pm

Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 8pm

Friday from 8am to 4pm

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

Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.