Wilmslow Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 31 May 2023 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 had infection control procedures in place; we discussed how these could be improved, in line with recognised guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
• 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.
• 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.
• There was effective leadership and 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

Wilmslow Dental Practice is in Wilmslow Cheshire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use mobility aids and those with pushchairs. People who are wheelchair users may struggle to access the ground floor surgery, due to limited turning space. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice in pay and display car parks. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements, having an accessible surgery on the ground floor.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 3 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, and 2 receptionists. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, and a 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 9am to 6pm.

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, to implement and maintain all testing regimes in respect of ultrasonic cleaning baths for use with dental instruments; and in the recording and monitoring of hot and cold water temperatures, for thermic management of Legionella, in line with the practice risk assessment.

• Implement an effective system for receiving and responding to patient safety alerts, recalls and rapid response reports issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the Central Alerting System and other relevant bodies, such as Public Health England.

• Take action to ensure audits of radiography, antibiotic prescribing and patient records are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.