Glodwick Dental Centre

Our key findings were:

• The premises were 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 practice staff had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• 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.
• The provider was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice 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.

We identified areas of notable practice:

The registered provider had systems to review the general and oral health profile of the local population and target areas for improvement. Staff understood the needs of the local population, they planned and targeted their services to meet their needs and address inequalities. For example, alcohol-related harm, smoking and the use of betel nut. Patients were provided with oral health kits. The practice were forging close working relationships with other healthcare providers to support them with signposting patients and appropriate prescribing.

There was a proactive support system in place for staff to develop their knowledge and skills, and motivate them to provide a quality service. The team proactively participated in, and piloted projects to remove barriers to accessing dental care and encourage attendance. They forged links in the community with other healthcare providers, schools, nurseries and the local mosque to improve oral health in the locality.

They contributed to a local charity and provided toothbrushes and toothpaste to be included in Christmas welfare packages which were provided to homeless and disadvantaged people.

There was a healthy living champion in the practice who actively supported staff to create bespoke oral health displays. They used skills effectively in the practice to maximise preventative interventions. Bespoke information was created in other languages and for patients during periods of fasting. They recognised the need to remove barriers to care for dementia patients and during periods of fasting for patients. For example, they had adjusted the opening hours to provide a choice of early morning or later appointments. The team ensured that during periods of fasting, Muslim patients could access care and treatment at a time that did not impact on their fast or routine.