Dart Vale Dental Care Limited

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 20 December 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 and a second CQC inspector.

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:

• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• 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.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous 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.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
• Where improvements which could be made were identified during the inspection visit, these were acted upon with immediate effect.

Background

The provider has a large portfolio of practices, and this report is about Dart Vale Dental Care Limited.

Dart Vale Dental Care Limited is in Totnes and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice. Patients with mobility difficulties can be dropped off at the practice, although there is no parking on-site.

The dental team includes 5 dentists, 2 dental hygiene therapists, 5 dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, 4 receptionists and a practice manager/dental nurse. The practice has 6 treatment rooms. The practice is currently actively recruiting for 1.5 full time equivalent dentist vacancies.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 1 dental hygiene therapist, 2 dental nurses, 3 receptionists, the practice manager and the quality lead for Portman Dental Care (the provider). We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm.

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

• Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’ In particular, by completion of daily logbooks for all autoclaves.

• Take action to ensure the service takes into account the needs of patients with disabilities and to comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. In particular, by development of an action plan to improve access, informed by an audit of the premises.