Coram Green Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 25 January 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 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.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we ask the following three 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:

• 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.
• 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 appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• 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.
• The provider had information governance arrangements.

Background

Coram Green Dental Practice is in Hutton, Brentwood, Essex and provides NHS and 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, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available at the practice.

The dental team includes six dentists, one specialist orthodontist, one visiting sedationist, four dental nurses including one trainee dental nurse, one dental hygienist, three receptionists, one medical support nurse, one practice manager and the registered manager. The practice is part of a corporate group which has a support centre where teams including human resources, finance, clinical support and patient support services were based. These teams support and offer advice and updates to the practice when required. The practice has three treatment rooms and two recovery rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses including one trainee dental nurse, two receptionists, the registered manager, two of the corporate compliance leads and the practice manager. We also spoke remotely with the visiting sedationist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 5pm.

Wednesday from 8am to 4pm.

Saturday from 8am to 3pm.

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

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.