Wolverhampton Dental Care

We carried out this announced inspection on 8 February 2022 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 provider 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 adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had information governance arrangements.

Background

Wolverhampton Dental Care is in Wolverhampton and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available in the practice car park.

The dental team includes five dentists, seven dental nurses, including one trainee dental nurse, one dental hygienist, a practice manager and two receptionists. A visiting implantologist attends the practice once per month. The practice has four treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses, one dental hygienist, two receptionists, the practice manager and the Clinical Quality Manager from Colosseum Dental. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm,

Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.30am to 7pm

and once per month on a Saturday for implants only from 9am to 2pm. The practice is closed Monday to Friday for lunch from 12.30 to 1.30pm.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, where possible, items were recycled, staff were instructed to turn the power off to equipment and lighting when not in use.

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

• Take action to ensure audits of radiography are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service.