Updated 8 June 2023
We conducted this announced comprehensive inspection on 24 May 2023 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.
- 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.
- Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- 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.
- The practice did not undertake adequate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for newly employed staff.
- Antibiotic medicines were not prescribed in accordance with national guidelines.
Background
Beech House Dental Surgery provides both NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. In addition to general dentistry, the practice also offers dental implant treatments to patients. The practice is part of the Smile Clinic Group that has 14 locations nationally.
The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements including ramp access at the rear of the building and ground floor treatment rooms. There is no accessible toilet.
The dental team includes 6 dentists, 5 dental nurses, a dental hygienist, a dental therapist, a practice manager and a receptionist. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with the dental therapist, 2 nurses, the compliance officer and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open Mondays to Thursdays from 9am to 5.30pm, and on Fridays from 9am to 4.30pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should
- Ensure that appropriate DBS checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.
- Improve the practice's protocols for medicines management and ensure all medicines are prescribed and dispensed according to national guidelines.
- Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices.