Buckden Dental Clinic

We carried out this announced inspection on 16 November 2021 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 provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we asked the following questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it well-led?

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

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 well-led?

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

Background

Buckden Dental Clinic is a well-established practice which provides private treatment to adults and children. The dental team includes four dentists, one dental hygienist, four dental nurses, two receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms. Wheelchair access is available via a small ramp, and there is a fully accessible toilet and ground floor treatment rooms. The practice has parking facilities to the rear of the premises.

The practice opens on Monday from 9am to 8pm; Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and on Friday from 9am to 3pm.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

During our inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, the practice manager, two dental nurses, the dental therapist and reception staff. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff and induction recruitment procedures.
• Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidelines.
• Members of the dental team were supported to meet the requirements of their professional registration and undertake additional training to progress their skills and knowledge.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• Patients received their care and treatment from well supported staff, who greatly enjoyed their work.
• The practice had effective leadership and a culture of continuous audit and improvement.

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

• Implement an effective system for identifying, disposing and replenishing of out-of-date stock.
• Implement an effective system for monitoring and recording the fridge temperature to ensure that medicines and dental care products are being stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.