Archived: Baxenden Dental Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of this service on 13 October 2015 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Baxenden Dental Practice is located on Manchester Road in the village of Baxenden. There are good public transport links with a bus stop directly outside the practice. There is a large free car park across the road from the practice.

Treatment rooms are located on the ground and first floors. Access to the practice is via a small step with a temporary ramp available for people who use a wheelchair. The doors in the practice are standard width, where people used an extra width wheelchair the staff would provide information about a local clinic with wider doors. The reception is located on the ground floor and there are waiting rooms on the ground and first floors. A dedicated decontamination room was located on the first floor.

There are two dentists and a dental hygienist working at the practice they are supported by three dental nurses who also cover receptionist duties.

The practice provides primary dental services to predominantly (99%) NHS patients with a very small amount (1%) of private patients.

The practice is open Monday to Friday between the hours of 10am and 5pm. In the event of a patient requiring emergency treatment when the practice is closed they are advised to contact the NHS out of hour’s service. The telephone number is in the patient leaflet, on the website and on the practice answer machine.

The principal dentist is the registered person. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We received feedback from 16 patients who completed CQC comment cards and we spoke with five patients who were attending the practice for an appointment. Patients’ commented on the professionalism, politeness and approachability of the staff.

Our key findings were:

• There were effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities to protect patients from harm.

• There were systems in place in relation to safe working practices to help ensure patient safety.

• The premises were visibly clean and well maintained. There were policies and procedures providing guidance on how to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.

• Patients were provided with information about treatment options to enable them to make informed decisions about their treatment.

• Patient treatment records were detailed and demonstrated on-going monitoring of patients’ oral health.

• Patients were asked to provide information about any allergies, health and any medications they were taking before treatment started.

• Patients were provided with information and guidance relating to good oral health.

• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.

• Staff were supported to maintain their continuing professional development (CPD) and had undertaken training appropriate to their roles.

• The gas safety check and fixed electrical appliance test were overdue. Dates for these checks (26 October 2015 and 19 October 2015 respectively) were organised before we left the practice.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Improve recruitment procedures to ensure that employment records contain the necessary documentation to evidence robust recruitment processes and inductions.

• Review the National Colour Coding Scheme for cleaning materials (such as mops) in order to minimise the risks of cross contamination.

• Ensure the autoclave printable data loggers are working and able to record and print the daily test results.

• Ensure un-pouched sterilised instruments in the treatment rooms are stored covered to protect from contamination until used.

• Ensure policies and procedures are dated when reviewed and the next review date added.

• Source latex free rubber dams for use with patient who have a latex allergy.