Lynton House Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 30 October 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 mostly 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 staff, equipment and the premises.
• Systems to ensure risk management is effective could be improved.
• 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.
• 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.
• Leadership, oversight and management could be improved to ensure standards are maintained and guidance is followed.
• Improvements could be made to ensure audits are completed fully in line with guidance.
• 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

The provider is part of a corporate group, Rodericks Dental Partners, and this report is about Lynton House Dental Practice.

Lynton House Dental Practice is in Barnsley 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 near the practice on local roads. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 7 dentists, 1 of whom is a periodontic specialist, 9 dental nurses, 1 of whom is a trainee and 1 dental therapist. The support team includes a practice manager, a deputy manager, a treatment co-ordinator and a receptionist. The practice has 7 treatment rooms.

The practice is a training facility for university dentists and hygiene therapy students; students attend on a 6-week placement throughout the year.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, the deputy manager and the practice manager. The team was supported by 2 group compliance managers during the inspection.

We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, increased waste recycling, reduced electricity waste, such as not leaving lights on in empty rooms, and a move towards the reduction of single use items.

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

• Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’ In particular, ensure the hand wash sink is unobstructed and used and that manual cleaning protocols are available to staff.

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’ In particular, review pipework/boiler status to ensure hot water reaches the required temperature.

• Improve the practice’s arrangements for ensuring good governance and leadership are sustained in the longer term.

• Take action to ensure audits of infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.