Feelgood Dental

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 3 February 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:

• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The dental clinic appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. However, improvements were needed to ensure these were understood and complied with.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Improvements were needed to ensure that the required medicines and life-saving equipment were available and appropriately stored.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. Improvements were needed to ensure that these systems were monitored, risk assessments were completed accurately and acted on to mitigate risks.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation. Improvements were needed to ensure relevant information was maintained for visiting specialist staff.
• Improvements were needed to ensure effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.

Background

The provider has six practices and this report is about Feelgood Dental Practice.

This practice is in the London Borough of Hillingdon 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. Metered car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes seven dentists, five dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse and one dental hygienist. The clinical team are supported by three receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, two dental nurses, two receptionists and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

8.30am to 5.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

8.30am to 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays

8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays

8.30am to 4pm on Sundays

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.