Harrogate Dental and Implant Clinic Also known as East Parade Dental Practice Limited

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 4 October 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 caring?
• Is it responsive?
• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff, the fire safety system needed improvement.
• The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider had information governance arrangements.

Background

Harrogate Dental and Implant Clinic is in the centre of Harrogate and provides 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 near the practice.

The dental team includes 1 dentist, 1 dental therapist, 1 dental hygienist, 2 dental nurses, a practice manager and receptionist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, 1 dental nurse, the practice manager and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday 8.30am to 5.45pm, Tuesday 8.30am to 5pm, Wednesday 8.30am to 4.30pm, Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 2.45pm.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They must

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.