Manor Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 5 July 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.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• 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 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.
• Improvements were required to help the practice better manage risk to patients and staff. In particular risks related to the premises.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation. However, improvements were required to ensure the policy was being followed.

Background

Manor Dental Practice is in the London Borough of Sutton and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available at the practice and surrounding roads. The practice has made adjustments to support patients with additional needs. This includes an accessible toilet for wheelchair users, with a pull cord alarm and lowered reception desk.

The dental team includes a principal dentist, two associate dentists, six dental nurses (who also provide reception cover), one dental hygienist and a practice manager (who is also a qualified nurse and provides nursing cover). The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, one of the associate dentists’ three dental nurses, the dental hygienist 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 and Tuesday 9.00am to 6.30pm

Wednesday 9.00am to 5.30pm

Thursday and Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

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

• Ensure all premises and equipment used by the service provider is fit for use
• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care

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

There was an area where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.