Abbey Dental Practice - Bury

We carried out this announced inspection on 6 August 2019 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 provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five 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:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Abbey Dental Practice – Bury, is located in a central area of Bury St Edmunds and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

In recognition of its architectural and historic importance, the central area of Bury St Edmunds is designated a conservation area and there are limitations on the development of some buildings. The practice is approached by a set of stairs with external hand rails. We were told due to the location of the building the practice is not permitted to alter the external image or have a ramp for patients who use wheelchairs. Patients who require level access are referred to the sister practice in Woolpit where there is level access and an accessible toilet. Car parking spaces, including spaces for blue badge holders, are available in public car parks outside and near the practice.

The dental team includes five dentists, one orthodontist,17 dental nurses, five dental hygienists, four receptionists, an accounts clerk, two cleaners and the practice manager.The practice has six treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Abbey Dental Practice – Bury is the senior partner.

On the day of inspection, we collected 33 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

During the inspection we spoke with four dentists, two dental nurses, two receptionists 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 5pm on Mondays and from 8am to 5pm on Tuesdays to Fridays.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and 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.
• The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.

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

• Review staff awareness of Gillick competency and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities in relation to this.
• Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.