Wootton Dental Centre

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 4 May 2022 Wootton Dental Centre 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.
• Improvements were needed to the practice’s infection control procedures.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies.
• Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice did not routinely operate effective systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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 were needed to protect patients privacy when in treatment rooms.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The practice did not ensure staff had completed training relevant to their roles.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has 143 practices and this report is about Wootton Dental Centre.

Wootton Dental Centre is in Wootton 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, including parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

Reasonable adjustments were made to meet the needs of disabled people in line with requirements of the Equality Act 2010. Specifically:

• A hearing loop was available.
• Vision aids were available.
• A Disability Access audit was carried out.

The dental team includes six dentists, five dental nurses, two dental hygienists, two receptionists and a practice manager from a nearly practice who is covering the practice whilst a new manager is recruited.

The practice has four treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, two dental nurses, two receptionists 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 8am to 8pm
• Tuesday 8am to 5pm
• Wednesday 8am to 5pm
• Thursday 8am to 5pm
• Friday 8am to 5pm
• Saturday 9am to 3pm (twice a month)

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.

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 guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.
• Review the practice’s protocols for the management oversight of all outgoing referrals to ensure they were received in a timely way.