Updated 8 September 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 29 August 2023 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 advisor.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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:
- The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which broadly reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had some systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. There was scope to improve these in order to align them with current guidance and legislation.
- 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.
- Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
- The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
- Patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The practice had information governance arrangements.
Background
The provider has three practices, and this report is about Stevenage Dental Practice.
Stevenage Dental Practice is in Stevenage and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice in local multi-storey car parks. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 7 dentists, 3 dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, 3 dental hygienists, 1 practice manager and 2 receptionists. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 4 dentists including the practice principal, 1 dental nurse, 1 receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm
Friday from 8am to 5pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.
- Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular relating to lone working members of staff.