Updated 11 August 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 18 July 2023 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 advisor.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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 appeared clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures in place. Audit of infection control procedures had not identified areas where guidance was not followed.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. Some risk assessments had not been carried out or required updating.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. Information on local area contacts for child safeguarding were not available.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures in place. These did not always follow current legislation.
- Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patient information leaflets were not always issued with medicines dispensed by the practice.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
- The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
- Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
- Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Systems and processes were in place to ensure any complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The practice had information governance arrangements.
Background
The practice Dr Timothy Jones and Dr Julie Jones is in Stockton Health, Cheshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step free access to the practice at the rear of the building, for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice in a pay and display car park. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 2 dentists, 5 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, and 1 dental therapist. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, 2 dental nurses, and the dental hygienist We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice's risk management systems for monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, for management of risk of fire, for staff without confirmed immunity to bloodborne viruses, for any staff member working alone, and for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
- Improve the practice’s arrangements for ensuring good governance and leadership are sustained in the longer term. In particular, for timely audit of antimicrobial prescribing, clinical record keeping and for oversight of infection prevention and control audit and the effectiveness of some staff training.