Scartho Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 25 July 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 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.
• 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 practice had infection control and equipment validation procedures which did not fully reflect published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate emergency medicines were available.
• Systems to ensure appropriate emergency equipment was available and suitable for use could be improved.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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.
• 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

Scartho Dental Practice is in Grimsby and provides mainly private dental care and treatment for adults, the practice has a small NHS contract in place for children.

There is a small step into the practice, with portable ramp access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice in a free local car park. The practice has made some adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 4 dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, 2 reception staff and a practice manager. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, 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 Thursday 8.30am – 5.30pm

Friday 9am – 12.30pm

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

• Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’, in particular, the reprocessing of dental instruments, the use of heavy-duty gloves and equipment validation processes.
• Take action to ensure the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
• Implement an effective system for monitoring and recording the fridge temperature to ensure that medicines and dental care products are being stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.