Updated 15 August 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 10 August 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 and a second inspector from the CQC
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. Improvements could be made to the system for obtaining evidence of adequate immunity to Hepatitis B virus.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- 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
The provider has 93 practices and this report is about Total Orthodontics Stockport.
Total Orthodontics Stockport provides NHS and private orthodontic care and treatment for adults and children.
Due to the nature of the practice, access for wheelchair users is not possible. Patients requiring step free access would be signposted to a local sister practice which is fully accessible. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.
The dental team includes a specialist orthodontist, a dentist with a special interest in orthodontics, four orthodontic therapists, three dental nurses, a receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with the specialist orthodontist, one dental nurse, one orthodontic therapist 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 from 8:30am 7pm
Tuesday to Friday from 8:30am to 5pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
- 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. In particular, the monitoring of water temperatures and the use of the dental unit water line disinfectants.