The Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 6 June 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:

• The dental clinic appeared 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.
• 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.
• 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 appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• 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 effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• 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.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
• Improvements could be made to ensure risks, such as those related to fire, and staff lone working were reviewed at regular intervals, and if applicable, suitable action taken to mitigate those risks.

Background

The Dental Practice is in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is a small step with a portable ramp which allows access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes the principal dentist and 2 associate dentists, 2 dental nurses, 1 trainee dental nurse and 3 locum dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, a practice manager who also has receptionist duties and 1 receptionist. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, 1 dental nurse, and the practice manager/receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability by using digital X-ray systems to reduce the amount of radiation released into the environment and digitalised patient care records to reduce paper usage as far as possible.

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

• Implement an effective system for monitoring and recording the fridge temperature to ensure that medicines and dental care products are being stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.