The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Spicer Road Dental Practice

2 Spicer Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1SX (01392) 272408

Provided and run by:
Spicer Road Dental Practice Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed - see old profile

All Inspections

18 August 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 18 August 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.
  • Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The practice had 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.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
  • Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
  • The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
  • There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
  • Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
  • Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
  • The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has one practice, and this report is about Spicer Road Dental Practice.

Spicer Road Dental Practice is in Exeter and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There are steps from the pavement to enter the practice. Therefore, the practice is not suitable for people who use wheelchairs. The practice has made adjustments to support patients with additional needs by the addition of grab rails by the stepped access. Further adjustments cannot be made as the practice sits within a conservation area.

Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes four dentists, one dental hygienist, five dental nurses, two receptionists and a practice manager. The practice manager is also a trainee dental nurse. The practice has five treatment rooms. One of these is situated on the ground floor.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses and one locum dental nurse, the dental hygienist, 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 to Thursday 8.30am – 5.00pm

Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm.

The practice closes for an hour between 1.00pm – 2.00pm.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, as a result of patient feedback steel hoops to enable cyclists to lock their bicycles at the practice were mounted at the practice boundary wall.

There was an area where the provider could make improvements. They should:

  • Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.

16 September 2013

During a routine inspection

This was the practice's first inspection since dental services were required to register with the Care Quality Commission.

The practice provides dental services to both private and NHS patients. During our inspection we spoke with twelve patients about their experiences of using the service that day; these people made positive comments about the practice and the dental care they received. One person told us, 'The staff are extremely friendly and always get back to you if you have a query;' another person told us, 'I'm always reminded of appointments and they are always friendly and helpful here.'

We saw people were greeted politely and that they received their examinations in private. We asked people how they were involved in their treatment planning and whether they were informed about what the treatment might involve. People told us how the dentists involved them at all times, and gave them sufficient information to make decisions and choices about their treatment. Information about the costs of treatment and the services provided were available in the surgery and on the practices website.

We looked at the consultation rooms and other areas of the practice and were satisfied people received safe and effective treatment in a clean environment. Processes were in place to ensure hygiene standards were maintained. We met and spoke with the majority of the staff working in the practice during our inspection and checked staff records to ensure appropriate recruitment took place. We found that patient records were detailed and were up to date and reflected the treatment received that day.

We looked at information relating to the management of the practice and saw these were up to date. The receptionists checked people's information was correct when they arrived for appointments and dentists' updated people's records on their computer and paper record systems after each consultation ensuring patient information was current.