Corn Street Dental Practice - Witney

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 31 October 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 ask five key questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive?
• 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.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies, however appropriate life-saving equipment was not available.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Improvements were needed to ensure infection control procedures were operated effectively.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The provider did not operate effective systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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.
• The provider did not operate effective systems and processes for improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.

Background

Corn Street Dental Practice is in Witney, Oxfordshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including a dedicated parking space for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 5 qualified dental nurses, 2 student dental nurses, 3 hygienists, 1 dental therapist, 2 receptionist staff and a practice manager.

The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 2 dental hygienist, 1 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 8am to 7pm
• Tuesday 8am to 7pm
• Wednesday 8am to 7pm
• Thursday 8am to 5pm
• Friday 8am to 5pm
• Saturday 9am to 1pm (alternate weeks)

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 is not meeting are at the end of this report.

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 College of General Dentistry.
  
  
• Improve the practice protocols regarding auditing patient dental care records to check that necessary information is recorded.

The provider accepted the shortfalls that we raised and took immediate action the day of our inspection to begin to address these.

Where evidence is sent that shows the relevant issues have been acted on, we have stated this in our report but we cannot say that the practice is compliant for that key question as this would not be an accurate reflection of what was found on the day of our inspection.