Bourbon Street Dental Care

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 3 August 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 two specialist dental advisers.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• 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:

• The dental clinic was visibly clean.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were not available.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• 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.
• The provider did not operate effective systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider’s infection control procedures were not operated effectively
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The practice had information governance arrangements.
• The provider did not have effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.

Background

Bourbon Street Dental Care is in Aylesbury and provides NHS and/or private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice reception and treatment rooms are based on the first and second floor of the practice. New patients are advised of this when they contact the practice.

Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available outside the practice.

The dental team includes five dentists, four qualified dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, two dental hygienists, one receptionist and a practice administrator. The practice has three treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, two dental nurses, a receptionist and the compliance manager.

We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• Monday 8am to 5pm
• Tuesday 8am to 6pm
• Wednesday 8am to 5pm
• Thursday 8am to 6pm
• Friday 8am to 4pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
  

Full details of the regulation the provider was/is not meeting are at the end of this report.

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

• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental care records taking into account guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.

The provider accepted the clinical and managerial shortfalls that we raised and took immediate action the day of our inspection to begin to address these.

Where evidence is sent that shows the relevant issues have been acted on, we have stated this in our report but we cannot say that the practice is compliant for that key question as this would not be an accurate reflection of what was found on the day of our inspection.