SG Dental and Implant Centre

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on SG Dental and Implant Centre 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 infection control procedures did not reflect published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Not all appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available as required.
• The practice systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises were not always effective.
• Safeguarding processes were in place. Staff awareness of their roles and responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children was not robust.
• 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.
• Leadership arrangements and procedures did not always promote 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

SG Dental and Implant Centre is in Burton in Staffordshire 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 3 dentists, 1 visiting dentist, 3 dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses 1 dental hygienist, 1 dental therapist and 1 receptionist. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 2 dental nurses, 1 trainee nurse and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must.

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

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 ensure all staff receive training in and apply recommended decontamination practices.

Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.