A W Robinson Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 28 March 2023 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 5 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 appeared clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff, risks associated with infection control and fire safety needed further review.
• 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.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

A W Robinson Dental Practice dental practice is on the outskirts of Preston and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access into the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available outside the practice and in an adjacent car park. Local transport links are located nearby.

The dental team includes 1 dentist, 2 dental hygienists, 2 dental nurses and 2 receptionists. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the provider/ dentist, 1 dental hygienist, 2 dental nurses and 1 receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Wednesday from 8:20am to 5pm.

Thursday from 10am to 5pm and Friday from 8:20am to 4pm

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

• Take action to review the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.
• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.
• Improve systems for the safe disposal of out-of-date medicines taking into account the guidelines issued by the British National Formulary and the General Dental Council.