Updated 24 December 2015
Background
Mydentist - High Street - Chasetown is located in Chasetown, Staffordshire. The premises consists of five treatment rooms and a dedicated decontamination room. There are also toilet facilities, waiting areas, a reception area, an administrative office and a staff room. The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm. In addition the practice provides, one late evening from 8.30am to 6.20pm and one Saturday per month from 9am to 1pm.
The practice provides NHS and private dental services and treats both adults and children. The practice offers routine dental examinations and treatment, oral hygiene and orthodontics. The practice staffing consists of a practice manager, a lead dental nurse, five dentists and nine qualified dental nurses, three of whom have a dual role as receptionists.
The practice manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.
We received 19 completed CQC comment cards from patients. Patients we spoke with, and those who completed comment cards, had commented positively about the staff and their experience of being treated at the practice. We also read reviews posted on the NHS Choices website. There were mixed reviews on NHS Choices, which the practice had responded to.
Our key findings were:
- The practice recorded and analysed significant events and complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
- Staff had received formal safeguarding training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.
- There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
- Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
- Patients’ care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current legislation.
- Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about their dental care.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
- The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
- There was an effective complaints system.
- The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and worked as a team.
- Governance systems were effective and there was a range of clinical and non-clinical audits to monitor the quality of services.
- The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:
- Review staff understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Carry out an assessment of the premises in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and take the necessary action to reduce the risk of harm. This should include the stairs and a review of the steps located behind doors.
- Review staff adherence to safe decontamination procedures when cleaning instruments as set out in the Department of Health's guidance, Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05): Decontamination in primary care dental practices.