Bluebell Dental Practice Limited - Chigwell

We carried out this announced inspection on 5 November 2019 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 provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a 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:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Bluebell Dental Practice Limited - Chigwell is in Ilford in the London Borough of Redbridge. The practice provides NHS and private dental treatments to adults and children.

The practice is located close to public transport services. The practice is located on the ground and first floor of a purpose adapted building and has four treatment rooms, all of which are located on the ground floor.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, seven associate dentists, seven dental nurses and two dental hygienists. The clinical team are supported by four receptionists, a practice manager and an administrative director.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Bluebell Dental Practice Limited – Chigwell is the principal dentist.

We collected feedback from 35 patients who completed CQC comment cards.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, two associate dentists, two 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 for private appointments between:

8am and 7pm on Mondays and Thursdays

8am and 5.30pm on Tuesdays and Fridays

8am and 7.30pm on Wednesdays

8am and1pm on Saturdays

NHS appointments are available between:

9am and 7pm on Mondays

9am and 5.30pm on Tuesdays to Fridays

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.

• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.

• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and 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.
• The provider had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.