Camphill Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 10 May 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. Following this inspection, work has taken place to repair or replace damaged drawers and work surfaces in the decontamination room.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. We found these were not always followed or applied effectively. Action has since been taken to ensure staff follow correct procedures.
• Not all staff had completed training in how to deal with medical emergencies. Not all appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. Missing items were ordered on the day of inspection.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. We found these were not always followed or applied effectively. For example, fire alarms had not been serviced or checked in line with guidance. We received confirmation following this visit that fire alarms were being checked weekly and the routine service was completed 2 days after this inspection.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff spoken with knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children although not all staff had completed safeguarding training.
• 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 practice provided extended opening hours 7 days per week.
• 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.
• Some issues were identified regarding oversight at the practice.
• 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

Camphill Dental Practice is part of Prestige Dental Care Group a group dental provider.

Camphill Dental Practice is in Camphill, Nuneaton and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is a ramp to provide access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking is available on local side roads near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 12 dentists, 14 dental nurses, (including 12 trainees, the practice manager and the registered manager) 1 dental therapist, 1 practice manager and 5 receptionists. The practice has 6 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists, 1 dental nurse, 1 practice manager, 2 registered managers and 1 receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, Saturday from 8am to 6pm and Sunday from 9am to 4pm.

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.

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

• Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use and ensure that the correct amount of medicines dispensed are accurate and reflect the quantities and dose prescribed.

• Take action to ensure dentists are aware of the guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment .

• Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.

• Improve and develop staff awareness of autism and learning disabilities and ensure all staff receive appropriate training in this.