Updated 15 May 2020
We carried out this announced inspection on 5 March 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 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
The Edge Dental is in the centre of Alderley Edge. The practice provides private dental care for adults and children. Visiting dentists provide specialist and complex treatments.
The practice is accessed via a flight of stairs and is at first-floor level.
Car parking, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, is available outside the practice.
The dental team includes two dentists, three visiting dentists, two dental nurses and a receptionist. The practice has one treatment room.
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 The Edge Dental is the one of the principal dentists.
We received feedback from seven people during the inspection about the services provided. The feedback provided was positive.
During the inspection we spoke to both principal dentists, a dental nurse and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Tues 9.00am to 9.00pm.
Saturday opening twice monthly.
Our key findings were:
- The practice was visibly clean and well maintained.
- Staff followed infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- The provider had safeguarding procedures in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and equipment were available.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures in place which reflected the relevant legislation.
- Staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- The dental team provided preventive care and supported patients to achieve better oral health.
- The dentists had all obtained further qualifications and skills and some of the visiting dentists were specialists in their fields.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The provider had a procedure in place for handling complaints. The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The practice had strong leadership and management and a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- The provider had systems in place to manage risk.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider had systems to support the management and delivery of the service, to support governance and to guide staff.
- The practice asked patients and staff for feedback about the services they provided.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment. In particular, ensure the recommended action in the orthopantomogram, (OPG) test report to carry out quality assurance checks on images produced by the OPG is completed.
- Take action to review the appropriateness of carrying out the recommended audits of sedation processes and of dental implants at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service.