Brij Dhody Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 12 January 2024 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. Systems for checking emergency equipment and medicines required strengthening.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. There was no system in place to track and monitor prescription use and individual risk assessments of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health needed completing.
• 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

Brij Dhody Dental Practice is in Wolverhampton and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. In addition to general dentistry, they also carry out implant and orthodontic treatments. This report only relates to the provision of general dental care provided by Brij Dhody Dental Practice. The additional report in respect of the private services is registered under Bhylls Lane Limited.

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 8 dentists, 16 dental nurses (including 3 trainee nurses and 1 who also undertook practice management duties and another as deputy practice manager) and 1 support staff. The practice has 7 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, and 4 dental nurses (one of whom was the practice manager and 1 who was the deputy practice manager), We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm.

Thursdays from 8am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements.

• Implement an effective system of checks of medical emergency equipment and medicines taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK).
• 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 risk assessments are undertaken and the products are stored securely.
• Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.