Bhandal Dental Practice - 4a Leicester Street

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 17 January 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 advisor.

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 appeared clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Not all appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available, missing items had been ordered prior to the inspection and were awaiting delivery.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
• 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.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs. Although the dentist was only available for 2 days, the practice was open to book patient appointments and to refer to other local practices for emergency appointments when the dentist was not available.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider is part of a corporate group (Bhandal Dental Practices) and has 69 practices, and this report is about Bulkington Dental Practice, 4a Leicester Road. Bulkington Dental Practice, 4a Leicester Road is in Bulkington, Warwickshire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is located on the first and second floor of the building and therefore does not provide step free access. Patients who are not able to use stairs are referred to a local practice within the group. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice in local car parks. Unrestricted parking is also available on some local side roads.

The dental team includes 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse, 1 practice manager and 1 receptionist, who is also a qualified dental nurse. The practice has 2 treatment rooms, only 1 of which is in use currently.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse, 1 receptionist, the practice manager and the business manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. The practice is closed each day from 1pm to 2pm.

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 Council.

• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.

• Take action to ensure audits of radiography and infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.

• Implement practice protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development. For example, learning disability and autism awareness and safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.