CastleView Dental

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 6 November 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.
• Improvements were needed to infection control procedures to ensure they reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises but improvements were needed to ensure processes were effective.
• 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, but improvements were needed.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect.
• 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.
• 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

CastleView Dental is in Windsor and provides 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 5 dentists, 1 implantologist, 1 periodontist, 1 oral surgeon, 3 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 1 student dental nurse, 1 practice manager and 2 receptionists. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 2 dental nurses, the receptionists and the practice manager.

We looked at practice policies, procedures, and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• 9am to 5pm Monday - Thursday
• 8am to 4pm Friday
• 9am to 1pm Saturday

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 not meeting is at the end of this report.

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

• Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.