Updated 6 November 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 25 October 2023 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. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. The checking processes could be improved.
- The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. The inspection highlighted some additional minor areas of risk in relation to sepsis awareness and patient safety alerts.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The staff recruitment procedures which should be reviewed to ensure essential checks are in place.
- 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
M J C Newbould is in Middlesbrough and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
Due to the nature of the building, there is no step free access to the practice and the practice does not have an accessible toilet. Pay and display car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses (of which 1 manages the practice and 1 is a trainee), 1 dental hygienist, 1 dental therapist and a receptionist. The practice has 3 treatment rooms and an onsite dental laboratory. A dentist with additional training attends the practice to place dental implants as required.
During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 dental therapist, the receptionist 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 8.30am to 6pm
Tuesday- Friday 8.30am to 5pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.
- Implement an effective system for receiving and responding to patient safety alerts, recalls and rapid response reports issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the Central Alerting System and other relevant bodies, such as Public Health England.
- Implement an effective system of checks of medical emergency equipment and medicines taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK).
- Take action to ensure staff receive appropriate training and have the awareness to recognise, manage, follow up and where required, refer service users who may have sepsis for specialist care.