Syston Dental Care

We carried out this announced focused inspection on Syston Dental Care 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 was 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. Two staff had not completed basic life support training within the last 12 months. These staff completed on-line training regarding medical emergencies during the inspection.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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.
• 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.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has ten practices and this report is about Syston Dental Care.

Syston Dental Care is in Syston, Leicestershire 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. Unrestricted car parking is available on local side roads near the practice and parking outside the practice is restricted to one hour. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes three dentists and, four trainee dental nurses who also work as receptionists. The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist and two dental nurse/receptionists. The provider attended this inspection. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday and Friday from 8am to 5.30pm

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 6pm

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, the practice tries to reduce paper and plastic waste and use autoclavable equipment instead of single use. Wherever possible, staff from the local area are recruited to the practice if appropriate. This helps reduce carbon emissions caused by long travel distances to work.

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

• Review the practice's protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development. In particular, basic life support and mental capacity act training.