Alpha Dental Care Blaydon

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 10 March 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.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. However, improvements could be made to the fixtures and fittings in the decontamination room.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The practice had some systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. Improvements should be made to the system, to ensure all recommendations from fire risk assessments and radiation safety reports are actioned.
• 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

The provider is part of a dental group, with multiple practices. This report is about Blaydon Dental Practice. The practice is in Blaydon-on-Tyne and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice is located adjacent to their sister practice and the dental team work between the 2 locations.

The practice is located close to local transport routes and car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes 5 dentists, 2 hygienists, 6 dental nurses, 1 trainee dental nurse, a practice manager and 4 receptionists. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 1 dental nurse, 1 trainee dental nurse, the practice manager, the business manager and the group compliance manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday from 9am to 12.30pm and from 1.45pm to 6pm

Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 12.30pm and from 1.45pm to 5.30pm

Friday from 9am to 12.30pm and from 1.45pm to 5pm

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

• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.
• 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 improve the decontamination facilities to ensure compliance with published guidance.
• Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.