Updated 17 December 2021
Background
West Street Dental Clinic is in Fareham 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, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available at the practice.
The dental team includes two dentists, two dental nurses, three trainee dental nurses, one dental hygienists, two receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has five treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
At the time of inspection there was no registered manager in post as required as a condition of registration. A registered manager is legally responsible for the delivery of services for which the practice is registered. CQC had received a registered manager’s application from the practice manager.
On the day of inspection, we received feedback from four patients.
During the inspection we spoke with two 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:
- Monday 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Tuesday 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Wednesday 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Thursday 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and mostly well-maintained. The patient and staff toilet was in a poor state of repair.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and most life-saving equipment were available. We noted a portable suction was not available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and 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.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.