The Mount Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 12 December 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 asked the following 3 questions:

• 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 prevention and control procedures which did not fully reflect published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines were available.
• Except for two items, all emergency equipment was available.
• Risk management systems could be improved for the management of dental sharps, fire safety, responding to safety alerts and incident reporting.
• 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.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Improvements could be made to the level of detail recorded in patient care records.
• 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 practice had systems for continuous improvement; some audits were not in place. Audits we reviewed were not effective as they had not identified areas requiring improvement, for example, those found in this inspection.
• Patient referrals to other dental and health care professionals were not monitored.
• Leadership, oversight and management could be improved.
• 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 Mount Dental Practice is in York 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 are available near the practice in local car parks.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 3 trainee dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, 1 receptionist and a practice manager/dental nurse. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 2 dental nurses and the receptionists. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday 8.15am to 4.15pm and alternate Monday’s 10am to 6pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.

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

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.