29 May 2019
During a routine inspection
We carried out this announced inspection on 29 May 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
Lartey Dental Clinic, known locally as Dentology Chorlton, is located in Manchester and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.
The practice is not accessible to people who use wheelchairs. There is a small car park at the side of the premises, which includes a space for blue badge holders. Additional street parking is available near the practice.
The dental team includes six dentists, a visiting implantologist, five dental nurses (three of whom are trainees), a dental hygiene therapist, a receptionist and an interim practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
On the day of inspection, we collected 15 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.
During the inspection we spoke with three dentists including the principal dentist, three dental nurses, the dental hygiene therapist, the receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.
Our key findings were:
- The premises were clean, tidy 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 practice had systems to help them identify and 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.
- Improvements were needed to ensure clinical staff provide and document 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 were providing preventive care and supporting 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 asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental care records taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.
- Review the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices. In particular, carrying out soil tests to ensure the efficacy of the ultrasonic cleaner.