Milehouse Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 15 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.
• 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. Risk assessments were available where satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous employment (reference) requests had not been responded to.
• 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.
• 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.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has 147 practices and this report is about Milehouse Dental Practice.

Milehouse Dental Practice is in Newcastle, Staffordshire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available at the front of the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes three dentists and a foundation dentist, one dental hygienist, ten dental nurses, including six trainee dental nurses, a practice manager and two receptionists. The practice has seven treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists (including a foundation dentist), one dental nurse, one receptionist, the practice manager and a compliance manager from Rodericks. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm and Thursday from 8.30am to 7.30pm.

• We noted innovative approaches to providing person centred care. For example, a dentist at the practice is completing a master’s degree studying the link between blood pressure and periodontal disease. Patients who consent are having their blood pressure recorded as part of this study. We were told that patients with an impairment such as autism or dementia, would be given longer appointment times. The practice has appointment slots available each day to see patients who require urgent dental treatment. Separate urgent access appointment slots are available for patients who are unable to access dental treatment from their regular dentist, who are not under a current course of treatment with a dentist or for patients who do not have a current dentist.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, where possible items were recycled, staff were instructed to turn the power off to equipment and lighting when not in use.

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

• Take action to ensure audits of radiography are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service.