Updated 23 June 2021
We carried out this announced inspection on 25 May 2021 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 provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five 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:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Ramsey Dental Surgery is a well-established practice that offers mostly NHS treatment to patients, although some treatments are available privately. The practice has four treatment rooms and another room was under construction at the time of our visit. The dental team includes four dentists, a practice manager, six dental nurses and a receptionist.
The practice is open on Mondays to Thursdays from 9am to 5.15pm pm, and on Fridays from 8am to 3.45 pm.
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
On the day of inspection, we spoke with two dentists, the practice manager and two dental nurses. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
Our key findings were:
- Premises and equipment were clean and properly maintained, and the practice followed national guidance for cleaning, sterilising and storing dental instruments.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidelines.
- Staff felt valued and supported and were encouraged to develop their dental training.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of audit and continuous improvement.
- Recruitment procedures were effective and ensured only suitable staff were employed.
- Comprehensive Covid-19 infection control measures had been implemented to help protect staff and patients.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the storage of Glucagon to ensure its effectiveness is maintained.
- Take action to ensure all dentists are aware of the guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment.
- Implement an effective system for identifying, disposing of and replenishing out-of-date stock.
- Review the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.