Updated 18 August 2022
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 5 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.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five 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 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 clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- 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.
- Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation; however, improvements could be made to ensure staff had adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases or a robust risk assessment was undertaken.
- There was effective leadership; however, improvements could be made to the auditing protocols to drive continued improvement.
Background
Windsor Road Dental Practice is in Slough in Berkshire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
The practice is part of a group with 146 locations at the time of the inspection.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice is located close to local transport links and car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs, for example with the availability of a hearing induction loop and a selection of reading glasses.
The dental team includes three dentists, four dental specialists, one foundation dentist, two dental nurses, five trainee dental nurses, two dental hygienists, three receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, the head of clinical compliance and the compliance manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Wednesday from 8am to 8pm
Thursday and Friday from 8am 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.
- Improve the practice protocols regarding auditing patient dental care records to check that necessary information is recorded.
- Implement practice protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development.