Lostock Hall Dental Care

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 16 March 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 adviser.

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 was visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff, fire safety and sharps safety procedures needed further review.
• 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.
• 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.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• There was effective leadership and 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.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Lostock Hall Dental Care is in Lostock and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is access with assistance into the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 5 dental nurses and 1 dental therapist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists and 4 dental nurses. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5.30pm

Friday from 9am to 5.00pm

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

Take action to review the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.

Improve the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.