The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Ashbourne Dental Practice

58 The Green Road, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1EE (01335) 345645

Provided and run by:
Mr Ravi Nathwani

All Inspections

30 November 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 30 November 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 advisor.

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. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
  • 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

Ashbourne Dental Practice is in Ashbourne, Derbyshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 2 dental nurses (including 1 trainee nurse), 1 dental hygienist, 1 practice manager and 1 receptionist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 2 dental nurses, 1 receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm.

13 October 2016

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 13 October 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

The practice is located on two floors of premises in the market town of Ashbourne in the Peak District of North Derbyshire. The practice provides private dental treatments. There is a small car park to the front of the premises otherwise road side parking is available close to the dental practice. There are two treatment rooms one of which is located on the ground floor.

The practice provides regulated dental services to both adults and children. Services provided include general dentistry, dental hygiene, crowns and bridges, and root canal treatment.

The practice’s opening hours are – Monday to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm. The practice is closed at weekends.

Access for urgent treatment outside of opening hours is by telephoning the practice and following the instructions on the answerphone message.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

The practice has two dentists; one dental hygienist/ therapist; one qualified dental nurse; one trainee nurse; and one receptionist. Dental nurses also worked on the reception desk when required.

We received positive feedback from 24 patients about the services provided. This was by speaking with patients and through comment cards left at the practice prior to the inspection.

Our key findings were:

  • The premises were visibly clean and there were systems and processes in place to maintain the cleanliness.
  • Records showed there were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
  • Patients commented they had no problem getting an appointment that suited their needs.
  • Patients were able to access emergency treatment when they were in pain.
  • Patients provided positive feedback about their experiences at the practice. Patients said they were treated with dignity and respect; and the dentist involved them in discussions about treatment options and answered questions.
  • Patients’ confidentiality was protected.
  • There were systems to record accidents, significant events and complaints, and where learning points were identified these were shared with staff.
  • The records showed that apologies had been given for any concerns or upset that patients had experienced at the practice.
  • The practice followed the relevant guidance from the Department of Health's: ‘Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05) for infection control with regard to cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments.
  • There was a whistleblowing policy accessible to all staff, who were aware of procedures to follow if they had any concerns.
  • The practice had the necessary equipment for staff to deal with medical emergencies, and staff had been trained how to use that equipment. This included an automated external defibrillator, oxygen and emergency medicines.