Hacton Dental Care

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 26 January 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 found minor shortfalls in assessing and mitigating risks in relation to substances hazardous to health and medicines management.
• 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

This report is about Hacton Dental Care.

Hacton Dental Care is in the London Borough of Havering and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, 1 visiting orthodontist, 1 visiting endodontic specialist, 3 associate dentists, 2 qualified dental nurses, 1 trainee dental nurse, 1 dental hygienist, 1 dental therapist and 2 receptionists. They are supported by a full-time practice manager. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

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

The practice is open:

Monday 9am to 6pm,

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm and

Thursday 8am to 5pm.

They are closed for lunch between 1pm and 2pm.

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

• Improve the practice's protocols for medicines management and ensure all medicines dispensed in accordance with legislation.
• Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure staff have access to the relevant data sheets.
• Take action to ensure audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.