Updated 31 March 2020
We carried out this announced inspection on 3 February 2020 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 provider 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 always ask the following five 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:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Gipsy Lane Dental Limited is in the city of Leicester and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. Services include general dentistry and implants. The practice is also an approved training practice for foundation dentists.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available on street within close distance of the premises.
The dental team includes four dentists (including one foundation dentist), three qualified dental nurses, five trainee dental nurses and two dental hygiene therapists. Dental nurses also work as receptionists. There is a practice manager.
The practice has four treatment rooms; two on ground floor level.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Gipsy Lane Dental Limited is the principal dentist.
On the day of inspection, we collected 36 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.
During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, three dental nurses, the practice manager and the strategic/compliance lead who provides technical and IT support into the practice.
We looked at practice policies and procedures, patient feedback and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and most life-saving pieces of equipment were available apart from a child size oxygen face mask with reservoir and tubing. This was purchased immediately after the visit.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. We noted some areas that required further oversight such as risk assessment when staff immunity to hepatitis B vaccination was not known. Action was taken immediately after the visit.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information. We noted many positive feedback comments from patients about the treatment and care received by staff.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.