Waterloo Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 4 October 2022 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 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:

• The dental clinic was visibly 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 help them manage risk to patients and staff, however we found that the emergency lighting had not been serviced
• 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.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health, however this was not always recorded in their clinical notes.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has 1 practice and this report is about Waterloo Dental Practice.

Waterloo Dental Practice is in Stoke and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level 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 some adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes 4 dentists, 5 dental nurses (1 of whom is a trainee) and 1 receptionist. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses and 1 trainee dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

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

• Review the suitability of the premises and ensure all areas are fit for the purpose for which they are being used. In particular, ensure emergency lighting is serviced in accordance with manufacturers instructions.

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health publication ‘Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention’ when promoting the maintenance of good oral health and ensure the paper clinical records reflect this.