Updated 2 November 2021
We carried out this announced focussed inspection on 22 October 2021 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 asked the following three questions:
• 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:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
S&S Care is in the centre of Brighouse and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
Disabled access is available to the building with treatment rooms on the ground floor. Car parking is available on the streets around the practice and local transport links are nearby.
The dental team includes 12 dentists, one hygiene therapist, one practice manager, two treatment coordinators and 13 twelve dental nurses. The practice has eight treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at S&S Brighouse Dental Practice is the practice manager.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental therapist, three dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday 8.30am - 5.30pm
Tuesday 8.30am – 8pm
Wednesday 8.30am – 5.30pm
Thursday 8.30am– 8pm
Friday 8.30am – 4:30pm
Saturday (alternate) 8.30am-12.30pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- The provider had implemented standard operating procedures in line with national guidance on COVID-19.
- 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, improvements could be made to risks assessments for staff who work alone and five yearly checks on electrical safety in the building
- 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 provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.