Background to this inspection
Updated
11 March 2016
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the practice was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
We carried out an announced, comprehensive inspection on 03 February 2016. The inspection was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor. Prior to the inspection we reviewed information submitted by the provider.
During our inspection visit, we reviewed policy documents and staff records. We spoke with five members of staff, which included the principal dentist, two associate dentists, two dental nurses and the receptionist. We conducted a tour of the practice and looked at the storage arrangements for emergency medicines and equipment. We reviewed the practice’s decontamination procedures of dental instruments and also observed staff interacting with patients in the waiting area.
We reviewed 17 CQC comment cards completed by patients in the two-week period prior to our inspection visit.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:
These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.
Updated
11 March 2016
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 03 February 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations
Background
Thamesview Dental Surgery is located in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and provides NHS and private dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the first floor of a health center and consist of three treatment rooms , a reception area and a dedicated decontamination room. The premises are wheelchair accessible and have facilities for wheelchair users. The practice is open Monday to Friday 9:30am – 5:00pm.
The staff consists of two principal dentists, one associate dentist, one dental nurse, three trainee dental nurses and a receptionist.
The principal dentist is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.
We reviewed 17 CQC comment cards completed by patients in the two weeks prior to our inspection. Patients were positive about the service. They were complimentary about the professional, friendly and caring attitude of the staff.
The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor
Our key findings were:
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Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
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Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
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There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
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The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and child protection
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Equipment, such as the air compressor, autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
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Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
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The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
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Patients indicated that they found the team to be efficient, professional, caring and reassuring.
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Risk assessments and audits were carried out but it was not clear how the findings were used to drive improvement.
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There were some pre-employment checks, such as references and identity checks, that had not been carried out for new members of staff
There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:
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Review its audit protocols to document learning points that are shared with all relevant staff and ensure that the resulting improvements can be demonstrated as part of the audit process.
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Review the practice’s system for the recording, investigating and reviewing incidents with a view to preventing further occurrences and, ensuring that improvements are made as a result
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Review its responsibilities as regards to the Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and, ensure all documentation is up to date.
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Reviews requirements under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
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Review recruitment procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained securely for all staff.