The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Sedbergh Dental Practice

45-47 Main Street, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5BL (015396) 20626

Provided and run by:
Ben Houghton and Georgia Houghton

Important: This service was previously registered at a different address - see old profile

All Inspections

5 June 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced inspection on 5 June 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. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • 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.
  • 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

Sedbergh Dental Practice is in Sedbergh and provides NHS and private dental care for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice and local transport links are nearby.

The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 6 dental nurses, 1 dental therapist and 2 receptionists. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

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

The practice is open:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm,

Wednesday from 9am to 6pm.

20 April 2016

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 20 April 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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 caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive 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

The practice offers both NHS and private primary care dentistry to adult patients and children.

The practice is open Monday to Friday from 09.00am to 5.00pm, and opens one Saturday per month. The reception remains open during lunchtimes.

There are three dentists, a foundation dentist, six dental nurses, one dental hygienist, one therapist, two receptionists and practice manager. The principal dentist is the registered provider and manager for the practice. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run. Dental Foundation Training (DFT) introduces new graduates to general dental practice. It provides a protected environment to work in for a year whilst they undertake training to prepare for working in the NHS.

We received feedback from patients about the service via 40 Care Quality Commission (CQC) feedback comment cards

Our key findings were:

  • There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
  • There was an effective complaints system.
  • Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
  • There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
  • Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
  • Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
  • Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current regulations.
  • Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
  • Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
  • The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
  • The governance systems were effective.