Archived: Sharoe Green Dental Practice

We carried out this announced inspection on 5 February 2020 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 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.

Background

Sharoe Green Dental Practice is in Preston and provides 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 supermarket car park near the practice. The practice can override the two-hour waiting time.

The practice is situated on the first floor of the building. A stair-lift is available for patients who cannot manage the stairs. There are no disabled toilet facilities but patients who need this are signposted to the supermarket next door.

The dental team includes three dentists, six dental nurses, of which one is a trainee and one is the clinical practice manager, two dental hygiene therapists, a decontamination technician and one receptionist. There is also a business manager and a further practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC 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 Sharoe Green Dental Practice is the business manager.

On the day of inspection, we collected 34 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses, two dental hygiene therapists, one receptionist, the practice manager and the business manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday and Tuesday 8.30am – 7.00pm

Wednesday 8.30am – 5.30pm

Thursday 8.30am – 6.00pm

Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm

Saturday Once a month

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared to be visibly 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 safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• 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 a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had information governance arrangements.

We identified areas of notable practice.

Staff were committed to working collaboratively and used innovative and efficient ways to deliver more joined-up care and support to people.

The practice worked with outreach workers in the local area, visiting homeless people and offering free oral hygiene kits. Where necessary, people were referred to emergency dental services.