The Courtyard Clinic Also known as Dr Gurkirit Kaur Birdi

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 17 May 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 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. Most of the recommended emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. The provider sent us evidence that the missing and expired items had been ordered and replaced immediately following our inspection.
• There was no system in place to ensure regular audits of antimicrobial prescribing, infection prevention and control or X-rays were undertaken.
• 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.
• There was scope to ensure clinical staff recorded patients care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The practice had some systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff but there were shortfalls in the assessment and mitigation of risks in relation to sharps, sepsis, the control of substances hazardous to health and lone working.
• 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.
• 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.

Background

Courtyard Dental Clinic is in Danbury, Chelmsford, Essex 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 are available at the rear the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs with level access, wide entrance doors, a knee break dental chair and a fully accessible toilet with grip rails and a call bell.

The dental team includes two dentists, one dental nurse, and one dental hygienist. The practice has one treatment room.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist and the dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 4pm.

Thursdays from 9am to 6pm.

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting is at the end of this report.

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

• Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.