WN-UK CLINIC

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 28 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. The premises were not well-maintained in non-clinical areas.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff did not know how to deal with medical emergencies. Not all appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. We have evidence that all missing items were ordered following out inspection. We now have evidence that they are now available.
• We identified shortfalls in assessing and mitigating risks in relation to fire safety, health and safety and the safe handling and disposal of sharps.
• Not all 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.
• Leadership was not effective.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The providers complaints policy required updating to include up to date information in relation to escalating complaints.
• Overall governance systems required strengthening and embedding with the practice team.

Background

WN-UK Clinic is in Northampton and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is accessed via steps, meaning the service is not easily accessible for people with restricted mobility, those who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.

Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, were available near the practice.

The dental team includes 2 dentists and 1 trainee dental nurse. The practice has 1 treatment room.

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

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm.

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.

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

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
• Implement an effective system for identifying, disposing and replenishing of out-of-date stock.
• Improve the practice's waste handling protocols to ensure waste is segregated and disposed of in compliance with the relevant regulations, and taking into account the guidance issued in the Health Technical Memorandum 07-01.