Kingsway Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 27 September 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 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 adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• 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 dental clinic was visibly 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 help them manage risk to patients and staff. Some of these had not been fully adhered to.
• 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.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff 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.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Kingsway Dental Practice is in Waterloo, Liverpool 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 are available near the practice. The practice has made some adjustments to support patients with additional needs. This includes ramp access to the practice, which has 3 ground floor surgeries which are fully accessible. There is also a fully accessible bathroom on the ground floor and a hearing loop is available for those with hearing difficulties.

The dental team includes 4 dentists, 1 of whom is in their foundation year and who is supported by the practice dentist who is qualified to oversee dentists in their foundation year; 6 dental nurses, 2 of whom are trainees, 1 dental hygienist, 1 receptionist and the practice manager. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse, a receptionist, the practice manager and the area compliance manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm

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

• Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases. In cases where staff have shown a lesser degree of immunity, ensure risk assessments in place take account of their roles and responsibilities in the practice.