Hillside Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 2 March 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:

Delete as appropriate:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• 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 to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. We discussed how these could be further improved.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. Policies and details of contacts for local safeguarding teams required updating.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The practice was providing extended hours services between 4.30pm and 8pm, Monday to Friday, as part of the COVID 19 recovery plan for the area.
• 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.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Any complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has two practices and this report is about Hillside Dental Practice, Liverpool.

Hillside Dental Practice is in the Knowsley area of Liverpool and provides NHS and a small amount of 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 practice has made some adjustments to support patients with additional needs, for example, by providing step free access and a hearing loop for people with hearing difficulties.

The dental team includes two dentists and three dental nurses, one of whom is a trainee. The team are supported by two practice managers, one of whom oversees both practices run by this provider. The practice has two treatment rooms.

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

The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. At the time of our inspection, the practice was providing extended opening hours between 4.30pm and 8pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week, until the end of March 2022. This was being provided by NHS dentists as part of a local COVID recovery plan.

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

• Take action to review and renew the practice's Legionella risk assessment, 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, in relation to a toilet that is no longer in use, the associated pipework.