Updated 8 May 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 4 April 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 5 key questions:
- Is it safe?
- Is it effective?
- Is it caring?
- Is it responsive?
- Is it well-led?
These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.
Our findings were:
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- 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, although there were some minor items of equipment missing from the emergency kit.
- 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.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- Patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The practice had information governance arrangements.
- Appropriate pre-employment references and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks had not always been obtained for new staff.
- Sedation practices did not meet recommended guidelines.
Background
Adelaide House Dental Practice is based in Bedford and provides mostly private dental care and treatment for adults and children. In addition to general dentistry, the practice also provides sedation services. There are 3 treatment rooms.
The practice has limited access for wheelchair users, as there is no disabled toilet available for patients.
The dental team includes 4 dentists, a dental hygienist/therapist, 4 dental nurses and 3 receptionists.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, the dental hygienist, a dental nurse, and the receptionist.
We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open on Mondays to Thursday from 8.45am to 5.45pm, and on Fridays from 8.45am to 3.15pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to implement any recommendations in the practice's fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.
- Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
- Take action to ensure the sedation of patients takes into account guidelines published by The Intercollegiate Advisory Committee on Sedation in Dentistry in the document 'Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care 2015'.