Updated 9 March 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 13 February 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, the following 5 questions were asked:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The introduction of audit systems for dental care records and patient safety alerts would be beneficial.
- Clinicians were not always supported by a trained member of the dental team in line with a risk assessment and guidance issued by the General Dental Council.
- 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
K3 Dental Studio is in Barnsley and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 7 dentists, 6 dental nurses (1 of whom is a trainee), 3 dental hygienists, 1 practice manager/treatment co-ordinator and 4 receptionists. The practice has 7 treatment rooms and a ceramics studio, which is mainly used by the provider to produce crowns, veneers and bridges.
During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 2 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 2 receptionists and the practice manager/treatment co-ordinator. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 5pm and Friday 8:30am – 2pm.
The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, energy efficiency and reduced water consumption is a considered factor when replacing dental equipment. The practice had also fitted all lights with energy efficient bulbs.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- 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, 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: autoclave function and data analysis, equipment validation and keyboard covers.
- Implement an effective system for responding to patient safety alerts, recalls and rapid response reports issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the Central Alerting System and other relevant bodies, such as Public Health England.
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
- Take action to ensure all clinicians are adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting taking into account the guidance issued by the General Dental Council.