Bearcross Dental Practice

We carried out this unannounced focused inspection on 17 January 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 provider 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 two specialist dental advisers.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we asked the following three questions:

• 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:

• The practice appeared to be visibly clean.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies.
• Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• Improvements were needed to ensure systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff were effective.
• 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. Improvements were needed to ensure patient care records were completed effectively.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• 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.

Background

Bearcross Dental Practice is in Bournemouth and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice (via a ramp) for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes four dentists, two dental nurses, two trainee dental nurses, two dental hygienists, two receptionists and a practice manager.
The practice has three treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, two receptionists and the practice manager. We also obtained the views of two other staff working during our visit.

We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• Monday 8am to 5.30pm
• Tuesday 8am to 5.30pm
• Wednesday 8am to 5.30pm
• Thursday 8am to 5.30pm
• Friday 8am to 1.00pm

The practice closes for lunch each day.

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 was not meeting is at the end of this report.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental care records taking into account guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.
• Review the practice’s protocols for recording in the patients’ dental care records or elsewhere the reason for taking the X-ray and quality of the X-ray ensuring the practice is in compliance with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER) 2000.
• Review staff awareness of Gillick competence and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities .

The provider accepted the clinical and managerial issues that we raised and took immediate action the day of our inspection to begin to address these. We were sent an action plan within 48 hours of our visit, which included evidence to demonstrate that many of the shortfalls have since been addressed.

Where evidence is sent that shows the relevant issues have been acted on, we have stated this in our report but we cannot say that the practice is compliant for that key question as this would not be an accurate reflection of what was found on the day of our inspection.