The Walden Dental Clinic

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 15 December 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 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 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 Walden Dental Clinic is in Saffron Walden, Essex and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

Access to the practice is by a set of steps at the front of the premises. The practice has a portable ramp, however the access is very steep and therefore impractical for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available in side streets near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs and has undergone renovation and update of the premises, developing 2 new treatment rooms to extend oral health services for patients. In addition to general dentistry, the practice provides dental treatment under conscious sedation, Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and dental implant services.

The dental team includes 8 dentists including 1 foundation year dentist, 8 dental nurses including 3 trainee dental nurses, 4 dental hygienists, 3 receptionists and 1 practice manager. The practice has 7 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 1 receptionist 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 Friday from 8.30am to 5pm.

Saturday by appointment only.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, the practice was working to offset the impact of the increased use of disposable dental plastics by promoting paper free applications, and waste recycling where appropriate.