Weybridge Dental Care Limited

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 17 August 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.
• 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.
• There was effective leadership; however, improvements could be made to the auditing protocols to drive continued improvement.

Background

Weybridge Dental Care is in Weybridge in Surrey and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is ramped access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice is located near local transport routes and car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs; for example, the availability of a hearing induction loop and magnification devices.

The dental team includes three dentists, one doctor, one dental nurse, one dental hygienist and one receptionist. The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, one receptionist and the doctor. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm

Saturday from 9am to 1pm

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

• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental care records taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.
• Review the practice's systems for checking and monitoring equipment taking into account relevant guidance and ensure that all equipment is well maintained. In particular ensure the five-year fixed wiring assessment is carried out as required.