Updated 12 July 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 21 June 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 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 and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Not all the appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. The practice ordered the missing items immediately.
- The practice systems to help them identify and manage risk to patients and staff could be improved.
- 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.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement; infection prevention and control audits were not consistently undertaken at six-monthly intervals to improve the quality of the service.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
Firth Park Dental is in Sheffield and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice is a foundation dentist training practice.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs at the rear of the practice. Car parking spaces are available on local roads near the practice and there is a free car park within walking distance of the practice.
The dental team includes three dentists, five dental nurses (two are trainee dental nurses), a dental hygienist, a receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses, the receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday-Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 8am – 4pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the requirements for the medical emergency equipment and medicines taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
- Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular: recommendations in the practice’s fire and legionella risk assessments.
- Review the practice’s current system for recording, investigating and reviewing incidents or significant events with a view to preventing further occurrences and ensuring that improvements are made as a result.
- Take action to ensure audits of infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.