Rossendale Dental Health Centre

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 20 April 2022 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 adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic was visibly 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 help them manage risk to patients and staff; some checks on the safety of the building had lapsed due to the COVID pandemic, but these were put in place immediately following our inspection.
• 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.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement; the practice was involved in a number of pilots and projects and these were already delivering benefits for patients using the practice, and those that were referred into the practice.
• Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Rossendale Dental Health Centre is in Rawtenstall, East Lancashire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking is available near the practice. The practice has made several adjustments to support patients with additional needs, for example, through availability of a hearing loop at reception and step free access to one of the surgeries on the ground floor.

The dental team includes three Oral Surgeons, a specialist orthodontist, five dentists, three foundation dentists, one trainee dental therapist, a trainee orthodontic therapist, seven qualified dental nurses and eight trainee dental nurses. The practice is supported by eight receptionist/administrators and a practice manager. The practice has seven treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, one of whom is the principal dentist. We also spoke with three dental nurses, an administrator/receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

We also found an area of Notable Practice

• The practice also demonstrated a strong commitment to safeguarded children, and those children who were looked after. Were any child subject to a safeguarding plan, or considered to be at risk, was not brought to an appointment, this was quickly escalated. The practice manager observed that during the pandemic period there as an increase in children ‘ not brought’ to oral health appointments. As a result, the practice approached Lancashire county council safeguarding leads and NHS England to set up a pilot priority scheme for any safeguarded children, or those who were in settings where they were looked after. The scheme is still in use and proving effective in providing information to treating practitioners if the child moves mid treatment and also gives information to the local authority, inputting into their personalised annual Looked After Children (LAC) review. This pilot and findings have received interest at national level.

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

• Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, that checks on electrical safety are in place as required.