Mr Robert Wain - Dovetail

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 28 February 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 appeared to be 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• There were ineffective systems in place to manage medicines safely to minimise the risks of misuse.
• Improvements were needed to ensure all written dental care records were stored securely.
• Improvements were needed to ensure facilities were safe and equipment was serviced and maintained according to manufacturers’ guidance.
• Improvements were needed to the systems used to help the provider manage risks to patients and staff. In particular, in relation to the management of sharps and the handling of substances hazardous to health.

Background

Mr Robert Wain - Dovetail is in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and provides private dental care and treatment for adults.

There is ramp access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes two dentists, four dental nurses and a practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, three dental nurses 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 to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.