Appleby and Associates Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 23 February 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 reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. We noted that some required medicines and life-saving equipment were not available at the time of our inspection. Evidence was submitted to confirm these were purchased after our inspection.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. We found that recording of fire safety management checks was not always carried out.
• Safeguarding processes for vulnerable adults and children were in place but not embedded. There was scope for improvement in the detail of the safeguarding policy.
• 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.
• Staff and 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 1 practice, and this report is about Appleby and Associates Dental Practice.

Appleby and Associates Dental Practice is in North Hykeham in Lincolnshire 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. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 5 dental nurses,1 trainee dental nurse, 1 dental hygienist and 1 receptionist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 3 dental nurses and 1 receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday 8am to 6.30pm

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8am to 5pm

Friday 8am to 4.30pm

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective. Specifically, to ensure that weekly monitoring checks of fire detection systems are recorded, and regular fire drills carried out.
• Improve the practice’s safeguarding policy and ensure it reflects current practice procedures and provides guidance to staff on how to raise concerns.
• Take action to ensure audits of radiography are undertaken at recommended intervals and increase sample size.