Ribble Dental Centre

We carried out this announced inspection on 16 January 2020 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 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 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.

Background

Ribble dental Centre is in Walton le Dale and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and NHS dental care to 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. There is dedicated parking for people with disabilities at the front of the building.

The dental team includes three dentists, three dental nurses, of which one is a trainee, a practice manager and one receptionist. The practice has three treatment rooms, one of which is on the ground floor of the building.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. 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 50 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

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

The practice is open:

Monday 9.30 – 5pm

Tuesday 8.00 – 5pm

Wednesday 8.00 – 4.30pm

Thursday 9.30 – 7pm

Friday 8.00 – 5pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures in line with current guidance and is working towards best practice.
• 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 safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines but did not record this as per guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and 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.
• The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had information governance arrangements.