Updated 4 December 2020
We undertook a follow-up focused inspection of South Coast Dental Centre on 26 October 2020. This inspection was carried out to review in detail the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements.
The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
We undertook a focused inspection of South Coast Dental Centre on 17 September 2020 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We found the registered provider was not providing safe or well-led care and was in breach of Regulations 12, 15, 17 and 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can read our report of that inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for South Coast Dental Centre on our website www.cqc.org.uk.
As part of this inspection we asked:
• Is it safe?
• Is it well-led?
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 17 September 2020.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 17 September 2020.
Background
South Coast Dental Centre is in Peacehaven and provides NHS and private treatment for adults and children.
There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.
The dental team includes three dentists, three dental nurses, one dental therapist one receptionist and a practice manager. Staff work between this practice and the sister practice of Bright On Smiles. The practice has three treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, one dental nurse and the dental therapist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:30pm
Our key findings were:
- Medical emergency equipment and medicines reflected nationally recommended guidance with the exception of four sizes of masks for the self-inflating resuscitation bag.
- Infection prevention and control procedures reflected nationally recognised guidance.
- A fire risk assessment had been carried out and recommended actions were being implemented.
- Improvements had been made to the process for reducing the risks associated with COVID-19.
- A system to ensure general stock did not pass the expiry dates had been implemented.
- A system of clinical governance had been implemented to assist with good governance in the long term.
- Improvements could be made to the recruitment process.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.
- Take action to ensure the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK).