Updated 14 May 2024
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 29 April 2024 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 advisor.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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:
- The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Most of the emergency medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Improvements could be made to the recruitment process to ensure all required information is held.
- Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
- The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.
Background
Parson Cross Dental Surgery is in Sheffield and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
The practice is located on the first floor above a row of shops and only accessible via a flight of stairs, therefore access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs is not possible. Any patients who cannot manage the stairs will be referred to a local accessible service. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.
The dental team includes 7 dentists, 2 qualified dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse, a dental hygienist and therapist, 2 receptionists and a practice manager (who is also a qualified dental nurse). The practice has 3 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 2 dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm
Friday from 8.30am to 3pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the availability of medicines in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the British National Formulary and the General Dental Council.
- Improve the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff including evidence of adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
- Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.