Updated 30 January 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 15 and 21 December 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 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 adviser.
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 to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. The sharps safety procedures could be improved.
- 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. Improvements could be made to ensure evidence of recruitment procedures are held and available for review.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines. The practice focused strongly on the prevention of dental disease.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff 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.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
Fartown Dental Practice - Huddersfield 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. On street parking is available near the practice. The toilet is on the first floor and cannot be accessed by wheelchair users. At the time of this inspection, access to the entrance of the practice had been hindered by a road traffic accident which caused damage to the front of the building. Restoration of the frontage, wall and paving were underway to address this.
The dental team includes 2 dentists, 6 dental nurses (4 of which are trainees), a dental therapist and 2 receptionists. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, 3 dental nurses, the dental therapist and both receptionists. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the practice stores records relating to people employed and the management of regulated activities in compliance with legislation and take into account current guidance.
- Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013, and evidence is documented that advice is followed after sharps incidents.
- Implement protocols and procedures in relation to the Accessible Information Standard to ensure that that the requirements are complied with.