Background to this inspection
Updated
25 November 2016
We carried out an announced, comprehensive inspection on 4th October 2016. The inspection took place over one day.
The inspection was led by a CQC inspector. They were accompanied by a dental specialist advisor.
We reviewed information received from the provider prior to the inspection. We also informed the local Healthwatch and NHS England but we received no information about the practice.
During our inspection visit, we reviewed policy documents and dental care records. We spoke with three members of staff and one dentist. We conducted a tour of the practice and looked at the storage arrangements for emergency medicines and equipment. We observed a dental nurse carrying out decontamination procedures of dental instruments and also observed staff interacting with patients in the waiting area.
Seven people provided feedback about the service. Patients, who completed comment cards, were positive about the care they received from the practice. They were complimentary about the friendly, professional and caring attitude of the dental staff.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:
- Is it safe?
- Is it effective?
- Is it caring?
- Is it responsive to people’s needs?
- Is it well-led?
These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.
Updated
25 November 2016
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 4th October 2016
to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Mydentist Shepton Mallet is located in the centre of Shepton Mallet, in Somerset, and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages. The practice consists of four treatment rooms, toilet facilities for patients and staff, a reception, two waiting areas, an office and a staff room.
The practice treats both adults and children. The practice offers routine examinations and treatment. There are two dentists and a hygienist and more dentists are being recruited.
The practice’s opening hours are
8.30 to 19.00 on Monday
8.30 to 17.00 on Tuesday
8.30 to 17.00 on Wednesday
8.00 to 17.00 on Thursday
8.30 to 17.00 on Friday
The practice was opening some Saturday mornings.
Out of hours the practice provided contact information for an emergency helpline and the patient will be seen in 48 hours in the Somerset area.
We carried out an announced, comprehensive inspection 4th October 2016. The inspection took place over one day. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector. They were accompanied by a dental specialist advisor.
Before the inspection we looked at the NHS Choices website. In the previous year there had been 16 comments about the practice. The practice received an average of 4.5 stars. The organisation responded to all the comments and offered to follow up any outstanding issues with patients who responded.
For this inspection 7 people provided feedback to us about the service. Patients were positive about the care they received from the practice. They were complimentary about the service offered which most patients said was good and two said was excellent. They told us that staff were helpful and friendly. Patients told us that the practice was clean and hygienic. We received two negative comments that there was a long wait for available appointments.
Our key findings were:
• Safe systems and processes were in place, including a lead professional for safeguarding and infection control.
• Staff recruitment policies were appropriate and most of the relevant checks were completed. Staff received relevant training. The practice was recruiting more dentists.
• The practice had ensured that risk assessments were in place and that they were regularly reviewed.
• The clinical equipment in the practice was appropriately maintained. The practice appeared visibly clean throughout.
•The process for decontamination of instruments followed relevant guidance.
• The practice maintained all appropriate dental care records and patients’ clinical details were updated suitably.
• Patients were provided with health promotion advice to promote good oral care.
• Written consent was obtained for dental treatment.
• One of the dentists was aware of what process to follow when a person lacked capacity to give consent to treatment.
• All feedback that we received from patients was positive; they reported that it was a caring and effective service.
• There were sufficient governance systems in place at the practice such as systems for auditing patient records and radiographs.
The two requirements from the previous inspection had been addressed.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:
- Review the recruitment process to ensure that two written references are obtained when recruiting new staff.
- Review the arrangements for the storage of oxygen so that there is a suitable sign to show where a hazardous substance is being stored.