Updated 20 September 2019
We carried out this announced inspection on 28 August 2019 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 CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five 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:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Abbey Mead Dental Practice and Implant Centre is in Tavistock, Devon and provides private dental treatment to adults and children.
There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including spaces for blue badge holders, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes three dentists, four dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, two dental hygienists, a receptionist, a cleaner and a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
On the day of inspection, we collected five CQC comment cards filled in by patients. This gave us a positive view of the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses and a trainee dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday 9:00am – 6:00pm.
Tuesday 9:00am – 5:30pm.
Wednesday 9:00am – 5:30pm.
Thursday 9:00am – 4:00pm.
Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared clean.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect.
- 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 improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider had not received any complaints in the last 12 months.
- The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice protocols regarding audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines, taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice. In particular, by considering the appropriateness of antimicrobial audits as part of antimicrobial stewardship.
- Implement an effective system for recording, investigating and reviewing incidents or significant events with a view to preventing further occurrences and ensuring that improvements are made as a result. In particular, by reviewing processes to ensure all incidents are investigated and any learning shared with the staff team.
- Take action to ensure the practice stores records relating to people employed and the management of regulated activities in compliance with legislation and current guidance. In particular, with regard to the storage of paper records when off-site.