Fairfield House Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 28 June 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. However, improvements could be made regarding legionella risk prevention and required X-ray documentation.
• 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.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has one practice, and this report is about Fairfield House Dental Surgery.

Fairfield House Dental Surgery is in Exmouth 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 by entering at the rear of the property. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available at the practice.

The dental team includes twelve dentists, seven dental nurses, five trainee dental nurses, one receptionist, one finance manager and one practice manager/dental nurse. The practice has six treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, three dental nurses, the practice manager/dental nurse and one trainee dental nurse/receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday 08:45 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:45.

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

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’
• Improve the practice's systems for checking equipment, taking into account relevant guidance. In particular, critical examination installation certificates for two x-ray units.