Updated 1 June 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 28 April 2022 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 second inspector and 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 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 mostly reflected published guidance. We found that detergent for manual cleaning was not measured in accordance with product guidance, and a log of each autoclave cycle was not kept.
- 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.
- Appropriate pre employment checks were not always carried out. Specifically, employment history and evidence of satisfactory conduct in previous employment was not available. References were not seen for all staff.
- 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.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were not always available as per resuscitation council guidelines, specifically one airway was out of date and some masks were missing. The practice did not have any eye wash equipment or a mercury spillage kit. These were ordered on the day of our inspection.
Background
The provider has five practices and this report is about Oracle Dental Clinics Stafford.
Oracle Dental Clinics Stafford is in Stafford and provides 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. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes nine dentists, three dental nurses (one a trainee), one dental hygienist, one receptionist and one practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, one dental nurse and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, closing between 1pm and 2pm for lunch daily.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental.
- Implement an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice, in particular to evidence of satisfactory conduct in previous employment.
- Improve and develop the practice's current performance review systems and have an effective process established for the on-going assessment and supervision of all staff. In particular, ensuring staff receive appraisals.