Archived: Marlborough Medical Practice Dental Services

The inspection took place on 6 February 2015 as part of our national programme of comprehensive inspections. This practice had not previously been inspected.

Marlborough Medical Practice Dental Services provide NHS and private dental treatment to patients of all ages. The practice team consists of two dentists and a part time dental hygienist. The clinical team are supported by three dental nurses and two practice receptionists. Marlborough Medical Practice Dental Services are located in the Maurice Suite of Marlborough Medical Practice. The registered manager of the dental service is one of the GP partners who is also the registered manager of the GP practice. Another GP partner is the lead partner for the dental service.

The practice consists of two treatment rooms, a dedicated decontamination room and a reception and waiting area. All patient areas are on the ground floor with access suitable for all patients. There is flat access to the practice building.

During our inspection we spoke with five patients and reviewed 24 Care Quality Commission (CQC) comments cards, which patients had completed in the week before our visit. The majority of patients commented positively about the care and treatment they had received and the friendly, helpful staff. Some patients felt that due to recent changes in staff they had not always experienced continuity of care and had a longer than acceptable wait for a routine appointment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice provided a clean well equipped environment
• All staff were kind and caring in the way they dealt with patients
• There was a regular schedule of staff meetings which gave staff the opportunity to make suggestions for improving the practice and kept staff up to date with changes to the practice.
• All policies, procedures and protocols had been regularly reviewed and updated as necessary.
• Patients care and treatment was assessed, planned and delivered according to their individual needs.
• Locum dentists had been used regularly in recent months to cover for study leave. This had resulted in some disruption of the service to patients.

There were also areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Ensure infection prevention and control procedures are audited every six months to assess compliance with Department of Health guidance and take action when shortfalls are identified.
• Carry out a risk assessment in relation to the decisions of the practice to use an alternative emergency medicine to that listed in current guidance.
• Cary out a risk assessment in relation to the availability of emergency oxygen and where it is kept.
• Ensure that staff are aware of the processes they should use to record incidents and accidents at the practice.