Mulbarton Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 7 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.
• The practice had some systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. We found shortfalls in assessing and mitigating risks in relation to patient airway management during root canal treatment, medical emergency equipment and medicine oversight and implementing recommendations from the radiation safety report.
• 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.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• Patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• Patient complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• Dental care records did not meet nationally recognised standards.

Background

Mulbarton Dental Practice provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is full access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available just outside the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes one dentist, one dental hygienist, two dental nurses, a receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, one dental nurse, the practice manager and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open Mondays to Thursdays from 9am to 5.30pm, and on Fridays from 7am to 2pm.

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

• Take action to implement the recommendations made in the practice’s last radiation safety report.

• Take action to ensure that guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment are followed.

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.

• 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 all clinicians are adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting taking into account the guidance issued by the General Dental Council.