Mydentist - Market Place - North Walsham Also known as mydentist

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 6 March 2024 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 advisor.

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 appeared 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 manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
• 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.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Mydentist - Market Place - North Walsham is part of Mydentist, a dental group provider. The practice is in North Walsham in Norfolk and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is no step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Patients who require step free access can be referred to one of the provider’s sister practices. Public transport services are located close to the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with non-mobility access requirements.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 3 dental nurses (including 1 trainee), 2 dental hygienists, 1 practice manager and a receptionist. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse, and the practice manager. The practice was supported by one of the group’s regulatory officers. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm

Friday from 8.30am to 4pm

The practice is closed for lunch between 1pm and 2pm daily

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

• Take action to ensure that all the staff have received training, to an appropriate level, in the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
• Update the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 and ensure any risk assessments undertaken are reflective of the protocols at the practice.