The Cambridge Street Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive focused inspection on 21 September 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 two specialist dental advisors.

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.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. We found minor shortfalls in appropriately assessing and mitigating risks in relation to environmental cleaning equipment storage, medical emergency equipment and the use of closed-circuit television cameras.
• 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

The Cambridge Street Dental Practice is based in two buildings (number 24 and 27 Cambridge Street) in Aylesbury and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.

Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice on street parking.

The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 8 dentists, 5 dental nurses, 4 student dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, 1 practice manager and 4 receptionists.

The practice has 10 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 4 dentists, 2 dental nurses, 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:

• 8am to 5.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
• 8am to 7pm Wednesday

There were areas where the provider could make improvements.

They should:

• Improve systems for environmental cleaning equipment storage taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices.
  
• Take action to ensure the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
  
• Improve the practice protocols for the use of closed-circuit television cameras taking into account the guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office.
  
• Improve the quality of audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.