Updated 7 December 2021
We carried out this announced inspection on 26 November 2021 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 provider 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.
As part of this inspection we asked the following questions
• 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:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Bow House Dental Practice is on the High Street in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
The practice is located on three floors with a small step into the building and the treatment rooms located on the first and second floors, so there is no access for people who use wheelchairs. Patients unable to gain access are signposted to the provider’s sister practice in Tring which has level access. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.
The dental team includes five dentists, four dental nurses, including one trainee, one dental hygienist, two receptionists and a full time practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms, three patient waiting areas and a separate decontamination room.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Bow House Dental Practice is the practice manager.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, one 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 from 9am to 5pm
Friday from 9am to 4pm
Saturday from 9am to 1pm (by appointment only)
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation. However, we found that the policy had not always been followed.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice. In particular ensuring satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous employment (references) are completed for newly recruited staff in line with the practice’s recruitment policy.