The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Together Dental Colchester (Queen Street)

12 Queen Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PJ (01206) 576117

Provided and run by:
The Together Dental Partnership (Colchester Queen Street)

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

We carried out this announced, on-site assessment on 15 January 2025. We found the practice had met regulations. Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation and there was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. Patients were treated with dignity and respect and at the time of our assessment, could access care, support and treatment when required. Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidance and infection control procedures were in place. The practice had systems to manage risks. Together Dental Colchester Queen Street is part of Together Dental a dental group provider. The practice is in Colchester, Essex and provides NHS dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice also has a contract to provide NHS Intermediate Minor Oral Surgery Services (IMOS), and provides emergency appointments on alternate Saturdays and Sundays under the NHS 111 scheme. There was step-free access to the practice and car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, were available near the practice. The practice had 4 treatment rooms. During the assessment we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 receptionist and the practice manager. We also spoke with 1 regional manager and 2 compliance managers.

28 November 2019

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced inspection on 28 November 2019 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 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 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 this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

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

Are services responsive?

We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Queen Street Dental Care is in Colchester, Essex and provides NHS and 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, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes five dentists, a visiting oral surgeon, six dental nurses, one lead dental nurse, two trainee dental nurses, one dental hygienist, one treatment care coordinator, three receptionists and the practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Queen Street Dental Care is the practice manager.

On the day of inspection, we collected five CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with one other patient.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, one receptionist, the partnership/corporate compliance facilitator and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. The practice facilitates an NHS/111 out of hours service on alternate days each weekend.

Our key findings were:

  • The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
  • The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
  • The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
  • The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
  • The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and 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.
  • The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
  • The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
  • The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
  • The provider had information governance arrangements.

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 Faculty of General Dental Practice.