Venus Dental

We carried out this announced inspection on 12 April 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 a specialist dental advisor.

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.
• 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.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• Staff knew how to respond to medical emergencies.
• 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.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• There was a leadership culture of continuous improvement.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect.
• Systems need to implemented, monitored and embedded to ensure risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises are effectively managed. In particular in relation to infection control, fire safety, radiography, control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) and stock control.

Background

The provider has one practice, and this report is about Venus Dental.

Venus Dental is in Totnes and provides 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. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 1 dentist, 1 practice manager/dental nurse/receptionist, 1 dental hygienist therapist, 2 trainee dental nurses and 1 receptionist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 practice manager/dental nurse/receptionist, 1 trainee dental nurse and 1 receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday 12pm – 7pm

Tuesday 9am – 4pm

Wednesday 12pm – 7pm

Thursday 9am – 4pm

Friday 9am – 3pm.

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Systems or processes must be established and operated effectively to ensure compliance with the requirements of the fundamental standards as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (Regulation 17 Good Governance).

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.