Updated 5 February 2020
We carried out this announced inspection on 21 January 2020 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 provider 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 five 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:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
My Dentist – Advanced Oral Health Centre – Old Mill Lane – Formby is in Formby, Merseyside and provides NHS and 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, including a dedicated parking space for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes 13 dentists, one head dental nurse, two advanced dental nurses, six dental nurses, one student dental nurse, and four nurse/receptionists. The team was further complemented with one dental hygienist, one dental hygiene therapist, two treatment co-ordinators and a practice manager. The practice has seven treatment rooms, three of which are located on the ground floor of the practice, with two of these being wheelchair accessible.
The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at My Dentist – Advanced Oral Health Centre – Old Mill Lane – Formby is the practice manager.
On the day of inspection, we collected two CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with one other patient.
During the inspection we spoke with six dentists, four dental nurses, one treatment co-ordinator, one receptionist, the practice manager and the lead regulatory officer. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday to Thursday 9am to 6pm, Friday 9am to 5pm, alternate Saturday’s 9am to 1pm (by appointment only.)
Our key 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. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- 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 appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- 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 dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.