Martock Dental Surgery

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 7 March 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 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.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• 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

Martock Dental Surgery is in Martock and provides mainly private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice has a small NHS contract.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available on the roadside near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 5 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, 3 trainee dental nurses, a practice manager/dental nurse and 2 receptionists. The practice has 3 treatment rooms, one of which is on the ground floor.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 2 receptionists 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 9.00am – 5.00pm

Friday 8.00am – 3.00pm

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, there was a statement on the practice website laying out their approach to improving sustainability at the practice. Cups for patients to use to rinse following dental treatment were able to be washed, sterilised and re-used. Patient bibs were washable and re-usable. The practice had an intra-oral scanner for all lab related dental services such crowns, dentures, whitening trays and aligners. This meant that dental products could be prepared without the need for impression materials or gypsum models. This was a cleaner method and meant the patient needed fewer visits to the practice. The practice tried to be digital as much as possible to reduce paper use.

There was an area where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment. In particular, by using rectangular collimators to minimise patient exposure to radiation when X-rays are performed.