Dental Surgery

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 14 March 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• 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 control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• 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.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. Improvements could be made to the auditing protocols of dental care records to ensure information was recorded consistently.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. However, not all recommendations made in the fire risk assessment had been completed.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. Improvements were needed to ensure Immediate Life Support training was carried out annually for those staff involved in the delivery of dental care using conscious sedation.

Background

Dental Surgery is in Newcastle Upon Tyne and provides NHS and 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 at the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs including a hearing induction loop.

The dental team includes four dentists, eight dental nurses, one dental therapist, one receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, two dental nurses, the dental compliance lead 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 from 9am to 5pm

Tuesday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm

Friday from 8.30 to 4.30pm

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

• Implement protocols for conscious sedation, taking into account the guidelines published by The Intercollegiate Advisory Committee on Sedation in Dentistry in the document 'Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care 2015. In particular, ensuring Immediate Life Support training is carried out annually.
• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.