Updated 11 September 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 22 August 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.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Not all appropriate life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
- 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.
- 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.
- There was effective leadership, however there was scope for improvement with the clinical audits, fire and legionella management.
Background
King Street Dental Practice is in Newcastle, Staffordshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
The practice is accessed by steps meaning it is not accessible for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes 4 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 1 practice manager and 1 receptionist. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 3 dental nurses, the dental hygienist, the receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday from 8am to 6.30pm.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8am to 5.30pm.
Friday from 8am to 7pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and Legionella risk assessment carried out in August 2023, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’
- Take action to ensure the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
- Take action to ensure audits of radiography, record keeping and antimicrobial prescribing are clinician specific. The practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated. Audits should also be dated and signed by the auditor.