The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Welwyn Dental Practice

32 High Street, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL6 9EQ (01438) 715627

Provided and run by:
Mr. Naveed Osman

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

We carried out this on-site announced assessment on 20 November 2024. We found the practice had not met all regulations. Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidance. Patients were treated with dignity and respect and at the time of our assessment, could access care, support and treatment when required. Infection prevention and control procedures broadly followed published guidance. There was, however, ineffective leadership and a lack of a culture of continuous improvement. Not all risks associated with the undertaking of regulated activities had been suitably identified and mitigated. Recruitment procedures did not reflect current legislation, and the practice did not have an effective system to monitor staff training to ensure action could be taken quickly if training requirements were not being met. Welwyn Dental Practice is in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children. There was a small step into the practice and staff assisted patients who were wheelchair users to access the practice. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, were available near the practice. The practice had 1 treatment room. During the assessment we spoke with the principal dentist, the dental nurse and the receptionist. We identified a regulation the provider was not complying with. Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are within the quality statement section of the report. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

6 March 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

On inspection we found that people were treated in a clean environment by qualified staff while their privacy and dignity were upheld at all times.

Staff were aware of safeguarding issues and had undertaken appropriate training. The practice had a full safeguarding vulnerable adults policy and child protection policy.

People were invited to provide feedback on service through patient questionnaires and through the complaints policy. This feedback was analysed and any learning points or changes in practice policy were implemented following discussion at the monthly staff meeting.

29 April 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We found that the provider had not achieved compliance with the regulation which had been found to be non compliant during our previous visit in January 2013. The provider told us that he was still working on becoming compliant and hoped this would be completed within two weeks.

We were shown records relating to infection control but these were inconsistent and some were missing. We asked to see training records relating to staff but these were not available. Cleaning schedules and audits were not being completed. There was no evidence to confirm the frequency of the cleaning for the practice or what was included.

The infection control policy started it would be reviewed annually however the last review was in January 2012.

17 January 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

The practice is located centrally on the high street in Welwyn old town. This is a small practice with one dentist and two other staff members including a dental nurse and practice manager/receptionist.

We spoke to several people who used this service during our follow up visit to the practice on 17 January 2013. Two people told us they were mostly happy with the service they received at this practice. However, one person told us that they had several concerns about the hygiene standards at the practice. Concerns were also raised about record keeping, and not being kept informed about changes to the pricing structure in the practice. There were also issues with poor communication.

Although the practice had some policy and procedures in place, it was clear from speaking to the provider and staff, that the policies and procedures were not being followed or implemented.

The practice did not undertake monitoring of the quality of the service being provided and staff were unable to confirm arrangements for several of the key outcome areas including safeguarding of vulnerable people as well as infection control arrangements within the practice.

1 March 2012

During a routine inspection

We were able to speak with two people attending the practice, when we visited on 01 March 2012. They told us they were provided with a good service and confirmed the treatment options and costs were discussed with them. People felt this was a friendly practice that they would recommend.