The Whitebridge Clinic

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 5 August 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.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Portable suction was not available.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation, but improvements were needed.
• 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 provider did not operate effective systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider’s infection control procedures were not operated effectively
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The practice had information governance arrangements.
• The provider could not demonstrate effective leadership.

Background

The Whitebridge Clinic is in Kidlington and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional access requirements. The practice is based on the ground floor. The building is accessible to wheelchair users and a disabled person’s parking space is available outside the entrance.

The dental team includes three dentists, one dental hygienist, one dental therapist, four qualified dental nurses, two trainee dental nurses, one receptionist, one treatment coordinator and a practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, the registered manager, one dental nurse and a receptionist.

We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• Monday 9.00am to 5.30pm
• Tuesday 9.00am to 6.30pm
• Wednesday 9.00am to 5.30pm
• Thursday 9.00am to 5.30pm
• Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm
• Saturday 9.00am to 4.30pm

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

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

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