The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Chells Dental Practice

5 Mobbsbury Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 0HL (01438) 312929

Provided and run by:
Mr. Amir Patel

All Inspections

14 November 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 14 November 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.
  • 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

Chells Dental Practice is in Stevenage and provides NHS and 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 3 dentists, 6 dental nurses and 3 receptionists. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, the foundation dentist, 4 dental nurses and 2 receptionists. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday 9am until 5pm

Friday 9am until 1pm.

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

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

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

When we inspected Chells Dental Practice on 16 June 2013 we found that they did not have the appropriate documentation on file for the staff employed at the service.

When we reviewed the service on 3 January 2014 we found that they had implemented an effective recruitment procedure.

19 June 2013

During a routine inspection

We looked at four people's files and we saw that these were completed thoroughly and consistently at each appointment. We found that people's medical histories were reviewed and signed for by the people at each routine check up. We spoke with a staff member who confirmed that the dentist explained treatments and risks to people. They told us, "They go through NHS or private options and costs, treatments plans and get consent forms signed."

There was a safeguarding procedure for staff to follow. This included promoting people's rights and choices and ensuring advice was sought if they were concerned about a person's welfare.

There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We saw daily checks were recorded and staff were trained in infection control.

We looked at staff files and saw that the provider did not have the appropriate documentation for staff working at the practice.

The provider had systems in place for monitoring the quality of the service provided. We saw that regular audits were completed and where any issues were found, an action plan was developed.