South Lane Dental

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 20 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 and a second inspector.

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 did not have effective 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 did not wholly reflect 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.
• Leadership and oversight of continuous development required some improvement.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The management of complaints required improvement.
• The practice did not have information governance arrangements.

Background

South Lane Dental is in Clanfield, Hampshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 5 dentists, 6 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 1 practice manager, 1 operations and development manager, 1 clinical manager, 1 treatment co-ordinator and 2 receptionists. The practice has 4 treatment rooms and a treatment co-ordinator’s room.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 3 dental nurses, the treatment co-ordinator, 1 receptionist and the clinical manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday - Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example:

• Sustainable products such as bamboo toothbrushes and corn starch toothpicks were available to purchase.

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

• Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
• Ensure persons employed in the provision of the regulated activity receive the appropriate support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal necessary to enable them to carry out their duties.
• Ensure specified information is available regarding each person employed.

Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.