Cliftonville Dental

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 23 August 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 mostly reflected published guidance. There was scope for improvement by removing carpet and a fabric chair in line with the practice infection prevention and control audit action plan.
• 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. The practice legionella monitoring was not always effective with instances of missing temperature testing.
• 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

Cliftonville Dental Practice is in Northampton and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is accessed via 3 steps, once inside level access and an accessible toilet are available. For people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs who are unable to navigate the steps the practice signposts to nearby practices. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available at the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 1 orthodontic specialist, 4 dentists, 1 visiting oral surgeon, 7 dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, 1 practice manager and 3 receptionists. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 2 receptionists and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Tuesday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Wednesday from 8.30am to 6.30pm.

Thursday from 8.30am to 6.30pm.

Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Saturday (by appointment only) from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

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

• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’ In particular, ensuring monthly temperature checks are carried out.
• Implement systems for environmental cleaning taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices. In particular, ensuring the carpet and fabric chair In the treatment room are removed as detailed in the practice infection prevention and control audit action plan.
• Improve the practice's protocols for medicines management and ensure all medicines are stored and dispensed of safely and securely.