The Courtyard Dental

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 25 July 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, tidy and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. We highlighted minor improvements which could be made.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Improvements were needed to the medicines and life-saving equipment available. This was actioned immediately.
• 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. We signposted practice staff to updated guidance regarding antimicrobial prescribing, medicines management, the Mental Capacity Act and referrals for diagnostic scans.
• 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.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• The practice used innovative communication methods with staff and patients.
• 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 Courtyard Dental is in Huddersfield city centre and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is not accessible to wheelchair users. Local pay and display car parking is available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements, through the provision of a ground floor treatment room and toilet. Patients with mobility issues could park in the courtyard by prior arrangement with the practice.

The dental team includes 6 dentists, 16 dental nurses (including 1 trainee), 5 dental therapists, 4 treatment coordinators, 5 practice managers, 2 receptionists and 1 administrator. The practice has 7 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, dental nurses, 1 dental therapist, 1 receptionist and the practice managers. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Wednesday 8am to 8pm

Thursday to Friday 8am to 5pm

We noted innovative approaches to providing person centred care. For example, the practice used a secure communications app to enable patients to access information and advice direct from the team involved in their care and to participate in care planning discussions.

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

• Improve the practice's protocols for medicines management and ensure all medicines are stored and dispensed of safely and securely and labelled appropriately before dispensing.

• Improve the recording of consultations where pre-medication sedation is used.

• 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 HPA-CRCE-010 Guidance on the Safe Use of Dental Cone Beam (Computed Tomography).

• Take action to ensure audits of radiography and infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service.