Updated 22 October 2024
We carried out this announced on-site assessment on 30 January 2025. We found the practice had not met all regulations. Improvements were needed to the leadership and oversight to ensure a culture of continuous improvement is embedded. Improvements were needed to the governance systems to ensure they were reflective of the practice protocols and consistently followed. Although recruitment procedures reflected current legislation, improvements were needed to ensure these were consistently followed. The practice’s systems to manage risk were not always effective. In particular, risks associated with fire, legionella and radiation. Medicines dispensing and prescriptions were not consistently managed in line with current guidance. Improvements were required to ensure the practice responded to concerns and complaints appropriately and consistently followed their complaints procedure. However, patients were treated with dignity and respect and at the time of our assessment, could access care, support and treatment when required. Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidance. The service provides surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments, some of which are not in scope of regulation and were not covered in our assessment. Chester Road Dental Practice is in Northwich and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. There was step-free access to the practice and car parking was available near the practice. The practice had 5 treatment rooms. At the time of assessment there were 21 staff. During the assessment we spoke with 2 dentists, 1 dental nurse, 1 dental therapist, the practice manager and the clinical manager (who was also a dental nurse). We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are within the body of the report. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.