10 October 2023
During a routine inspection
We carried out this announced comprehensive on 10 October 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:
- Non clinical areas such as door handles and light switches were not always kept clean.
- The practice infection control procedures reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- There was scope for improvement in the systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. Specifically, around fire safety and legionella management.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Evidence was not always available to confirm that staff recruitment procedures 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 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 scope for improvement to ensure leadership was effective and a culture of continuous improvement was maintained.
- 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
Brant Road Dental Practice is in Lincoln and provides NHS and 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 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 1 dental therapists, 1 practice manager and 1 receptionists. The practice has 5 treatment rooms. Three were in operation at the time of our inspection.
During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse, 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 to Friday from 8.45am to 6.15pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice’s systems for environmental cleaning taking into account current national specifications for cleanliness in the NHS.
- Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.
- Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.
- Take action to ensure audits of radiography and infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.