Updated 13 June 2019
We carried out this announced inspection on 15 May 2019 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 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:
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
Blyton Dental is in the village of Blyton just north of Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. The practice provides private dental treatment to adults and children.
There is level access through the front door, with parking for blue badge holders directly outside. The practice has three treatment rooms, one on the ground floor.
The dental team includes four dentists, one dental hygienist, four dental nurses, including two trainee dental nurses, one receptionist, one practice manager and a clinical co-ordinator.
The service is registered with the Care Quality Commission as an individual provider 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.
On the day of inspection, we collected 43 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. In advance of this inspection the Care Quality Commission received 41 responses from patients. All 41 responses provided positive feedback.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental hygienist, four dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm and on Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had the staff recruitment information required by the Regulations.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.