Clayton Dental Practice

We carried out this announced inspection on 7 March 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 appeared to be 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.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures in place, however improvements could be made to recruitment checks for staff.
• 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.
• There was effective leadership in place, however improvements to some audits would strengthen a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has two practices and this report is about Clayton Dental Practice.

Clayton Dental Practice is in Clayton on the outskirts of Bradford and provides NHS dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice does not provide step free access for people who use wheelchairs or mobility needs. There is an alternative practice nearby that can support these needs. Car parking spaces are available on the streets surrounding the practice.

The dental team includes three dentists, four dental nurses, one dental therapist, one receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the provider, two dentists, two dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday – Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm.

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

Implement an effective procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are in place prior to locum/ agency staff commencing work at the practice.

Review the practice’s protocols to ensure audits of radiography and antimicrobial prescribing have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated