The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Devonshire House Dental Practice

24a High Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4AB (01277) 217727

Provided and run by:
Devonshire House Surgery Limited

All Inspections

21 November 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 21 November 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 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 manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. We noted the 5 yearly electrical fixed wire testing was overdue.
  • 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

Devonshire House Dental Surgery is in Brentwood, Essex and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is accessed by flights of stairs and there is limited accessibility for people with reduced mobility, wheelchair users or people with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available in pay and display car parks near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses including 1 trainee dental nurse, 1 receptionist, 1 cleaner and 1 visiting compliance advisor. The practice has 1 treatment room, a second treatment room is used by other services.

During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, 1 dental nurse, the receptionist and the compliance advisor. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

  • Take action to ensure the suitability of the premises and ensure all areas are fit for the purpose for which they are being used. In particular, ensure the 5 yearly electrical fixed wire testing is undertaken.

17 May 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

During our previous inspection of 6 February 2013, we found that the provider did not have adequate systems in place to ensure people were protected from the risk of infection. We revisited the provider on 17 May 2013 and found that they had taken action to remedy this. We saw that suitable arrangements were in place for the management of infection control and this was being routinely monitored.

We found that the provider had taken steps to ensure recruitment procedures were robust and that necessary pre - employment checks were conducted.

6 February 2013

During a routine inspection

We looked at the records of four people using the service. We saw that care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. We spoke with a person who told us they had been using this service for several years. The told us they were informed about their planned treatment and estimated costs and were very happy with the treatment they had received there over a number of years.

We saw that the environment was well maintained and clean and that staff followed good infection control practices. However, we found that some facilities in relation to hand washing did not meet current guidance requirements. Audits were not available to show that checks were carried out to ensure the premises were clean or that the infection control processes were robust.

People received care and treatment from staff who had received training that was appropriate and relevant to their role and responsibilities. We found that some aspects of staff recruitment were not robust. A person using the service said, 'I have been coming here for 20 years and am a very nervous patient. The staff are very good, I never feel dread, they are understanding and give me confidence.'