Yarm Lane Dental Surgery

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 17 May 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.
• 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. Documenting of patients’ consent and risk to oral disease could be improved within patient care records. A more robust system to monitor referrals should be introduced.
• 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.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Yarm Lane Dental Practice is in Stockton On Tees and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

Two steps are sited at the entrance of the practice, therefore staff provide assistance, where required, for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes three dentists, three dental nurses and two trainee dental nurses. Reception duties are carried out by the dental nurses.

The practice has three treatment rooms, all located on the ground floor.

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

The practice is open:

Monday 9am to 5.30pm

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 6pm

Friday 9am to 5pm.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, as the practice’s municipal waste did not include segregation of cardboard or paper, the provider ensured all cardboard and paper waste was recycled elsewhere.

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

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records. In particular, with regards to documenting consent at every visit and patients’ risk of dental diseases.
• Review their systems to ensure patient referrals to other dental or health care professionals are centrally monitored to ensure they are received in a timely manner and not lost.