Select Dental Care

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 21 November 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 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 manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. However, improvement was needed.
• 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. However, improvement was needed.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• 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.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Select Dental Care is part of Portman Healthcare Limited, a group dental provider. Select Dental Care is in Middlesborough and provides NHS and 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 are available at the front of the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 7 dentists, 10 dental nurses, 2 dental therapists, 1 practice manager and a receptionist. The practice has 8 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses, 1 dental therapist, the practice manager and the safety and quality specialist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday – Thursday 8.30am to 5.30pm

Friday - 8.30am to 4.30pm

Saturday - Private appointments only

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

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire and health and safety risk assessments to ensure ongoing fire safety management and health and safety is effective.
• Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.
• Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.