Practice Policies
We will keep your records safe
This practice complies with the Data Protection Act (1998) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018. This means that we will ensure that your information is processed fairly and lawfully.We need to keep accurate personal data about patients in order to provide you with safe and appropriate dental care. We also need to process personal data about you if we are providing care under NHS arrangements and to ensure the proper management and administration of the NHS.
Privacy notice to patients
We will keep your records safe
This practice complies with the Data Protection Act (1998) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018. This means that we will ensure that your information is processed fairly and lawfully.
What personal information do we need to hold?
- Your past and current medical and dental condition; personal details such as your age, address, telephone number and your general medical practitioner
- We may need to request details of your NHS number and entitlement to healthcare treatment
- We will need to request details of your exemption status
- Radiographs, clinical photographs and study models
- Information about the treatment that we have provided or propose and its cost
- Notes of conversations or incidents that might occur for which a record needs to be kept
- Records of consent to treatment
- Any correspondence relating to you with other health care professionals, for example in the hospital or community services.
Why do we hold this information?
We need to keep accurate personal data about patients in order to provide you with safe and appropriate dental care. We also need to process personal data about you if we are providing care under NHS arrangements and to ensure the proper management and administration of the NHS.
Retaining information
We are required to retain your dental records, X- rays and study models while you are a patient of this practice and after you cease to be a patient (non active for 2 years), for at least eleven years or until age 25, whichever is the longer.
Security
Your information is held in the practice’s secure computer system. The information is only accessible to authorised personnel. Personal information will not be removed from this practice without the patients authorised consent.
Your personal information is carefully protected by the staff at this practice. All access to information is held securely and can only be accessed by regularly changed passwords. Data is encrypted and computer terminals are closed if unattended.
We may need to disclose your information
In order to provide proper and safe dental care to:
- Your general medical practitioner
- The hospital or community dental services
- Other health professionals caring for you
- NHS payment authorities
- The Inland Revenue
- The Benefits Agency, where you are claiming exemption or remission from NHS charges
- Private dental schemes of which you are a member.
Disclosure will take place on a ‘need-to-know’ basis, so that only those individuals/organisations who need to know in order to provide care to you and for the proper administration of Government (whose personnel are covered by strict confidentiality rules) will be given the information. Only information that the recipient needs to know will be disclosed.
In very limited circumstances or when required by law or a court order, personal data may have to be disclosed to a third party not connected with your health care. In all other situations, disclosure that is not covered by this Code of Practice will only occur when we have your specific consent. Where possible you will be informed of these requests for disclosure.
Infection Control Policy
Infection control is of prime importance in this practice. Every member of staff receives training in all aspects of infection control, including decontamination of dental instruments and equipment, as part of their induction programme and through regular updated training, at least annually.
The following policy describes the routines for our practice, which must be followed at all times. If there is any aspect that is not clear, please ask Peter Doorey (principal dentist), or Kirsty Bate (decontamination lead). All our staff know this policy and are able to answer any questions from patients about the infection control within this practice
Minimising blood-borne virus transmission
All staff are immunised against hepatitis B; records of Hepatitis B seroconversion will be held securely by the practice owner to ensure confidentiality is maintained.
Records of these examinations will be held securely by the practice to ensure confidentiality is maintained.
Decontamination of instruments and equipment
Single use instruments and equipment must be identified and disposed of safely and never reused.
All re-usable instruments must be decontaminated after use to ensure they are safe to be re-used. Gloves and eye protection must be worn when handling and cleaning used instruments (refer to single use instruments policy).
Before being used, all new dental instruments must be decontaminated fully according to the manufacturer’s instructions and within the limits of the facilities available at the practice. Those that require manual cleaning must be identified. Wherever possible, the practice will purchase instruments that can withstand automated cleaning processes using a washer-disinfector or an ultrasonic cleaner (refer to new & re-usable instruments policy).
At the end of each patient treatment, instruments are be transferred to the decontamination area for reprocessing. The practice procedure for transferring used instruments and equipment can be found in the practice decontamination manual.
Instrument decontamination
“Staff are appropriately trained to ensure they are competent to decontaminate existing and new reusable dental instruments. Records of this training are kept in individual staff folders”.
Cleaning
Instruments are cleaned using an automated washer disinfector, when this is not possible instruments are manually following use of an ultra-sonic bath or an enzymatic pre-soak (Gigasept) in the baths which are stored in the decontamination area. The practice policy for the required method of instrument cleaning must be followed. The policies can be found in the practice decontamination manual.
Inspection
After cleaning, inspect instruments for residual debris and check for any wear or damage using task lighting and a magnifying device. If present, residual debris should be removed and the instrument re-cleaned.
Sterilisation
Instruments should be loaded to allow steam to contact with all surfaces (avoid overloading) and follow manufacturer’s instructions for use. Where instruments are to be stored for use at a later date, they should be wrapped in pouches, which are then dated and labelled to allow easy identification. Storage should not exceed 21 days; after this, instruments must be reprocessed. Instruments for same-day use do not require wrapping.
Work surfaces and equipment
“The patient treatment area is cleaned at the start of a session, in-between patients & at the end of every session using an alcohol-free hard surface disinfectant, alcohol-free hard surface disinfectant wipes & disposable paper towels – cleaning takes place even if the area appears uncontaminated”.
Between patient treatments, the local working area and items of equipment must be cleaned using alcohol-free hard surface disinfectant spray/wipes and disposable paper towels This will include work surfaces, dental chair, inspection light and handles, hand controls, delivery units, spittoons, aspirators and, if used, x-ray units and controls. Other equipment that may have become contaminated must also be cleaned.
In addition, cupboard doors, other exposed surfaces (such as dental inspection light fittings) and floor surfaces with the surgery are cleaned daily.
Hand hygiene Policy
The practice policy on hand hygiene must be followed routinely.
Nails must be short and clean and free of nail art, permanent or temporary enhancements (false nails) or nail varnish. Nails can be cleaned using a blunt “orange” stick.
Wash hands using liquid soap between each patient treatment and before donning and after removal of gloves. Follow the hand-washing techniques displayed at each hand wash sink. Scrub or nail brushes must not be used; they can cause abrasion of the skin where micro-organisms can reside. Ensure that paper towels and drying techniques do not damage the skin.
Alcohol-based hand-rubs/gels can be used instead of hand-washing between patients during surgery sessions if the hands appear visibly clean. It should be applied using the same techniques as for hand-washing. The product recommendations for the maximum number of applications should not be exceeded. If hands become “sticky”, they must be washed using liquid soap.
At the end of each session and following hand-washing, apply the hand cream provided to counteract dryness. Do not use hand cream under gloves; it can encourage the growth of microorganisms.
Environmental cleaning
The non-clinical areas of the practice are cleaned by the domestic cleaner in line with the practice policy which can be found in the decontamination manual.
Cleaning equipment is stored outside patient care areas in the storage cupboard.
Records of cleaning protocols and audits/checks on its efficacy are retained in the tick-list folder in the office or in the storage container in the cellar.
Code of Practice for Patient Complaints
Boutique Dental 23 take complaints very seriously, we try to ensure that all our patients are pleased with their experience of our service. Complaints are dealt with courteously and promptly so the matter can be resolved as quickly as possible. This procedure is based on these objectives.
Our aim is to react to complaints in the same way we would want our complaint about a service to be handled. We learn from every mistake that we make and we respond to patients’ concerns in a caring and sensitive way.
- The person responsible for dealing with any complaint about the service which we provide is Angela Hurst the Practice Complaints Manager.
- If a patient complains by telephone or in person, we will listen to their complaint and offer to refer him or her to the Complaints Manager immediately. If the Complaints Manager is not available at the time, then the patient will be told when they will be able to talk to the Complaints Manager and arrangements will be made for this to happen. The member of staff will make a written record of your complaint and provide the patient with a copy as well as passing it on to the Complaints Manager. If we cannot arrange this within a reasonable period or if the patient does not wish to wait to discuss the matter, arrangements will be made for someone else to deal with it.
- If the patient complains in writing or by email it will be passed on immediately to the Complaints Manager.
- If a complaint is about any aspect of clinical care or associated charges it will normally be referred to the dentist concerned, unless the patient does not want this to happen.
- We will acknowledge the patient’s complaint in writing and enclose a copy of this code of practice as soon as possible, normally within 3 working days. We will offer to discuss the complaint at a time agreed with the patient, asking how the patient would like to be kept informed of developments, for example, by telephone, face to face meetings, letters or e-mail. We will inform the patient about how the complaint will be handled and the likely time that the investigation will take to be completed. If the patient does not wish to discuss the complaint, we will still inform them of the expected timescale for completing the process.
- We will investigate the complaint speedily and efficiently and we will keep the patient regularly informed, as far as reasonably practicable, as to the progress of the investigation. Investigations will normally be completed within 6 months.
- When we have completed our investigation, we will provide the patient with a full written report. The report will include an explanation of how the complaint has been considered, the conclusions reached in respect of each specific part of the complaint, details of any necessary remedial action and whether the practice is satisfied with any action it has already taken or will be taking as a result of the complaint.
- Proper and comprehensive records are kept of any complaint received as well as any actions taken to improve services as a consequence of a complaint.
Patient Satisfaction Survey Results
What is your experience of making a telephone enquiry or booking?
Excellent – 87%
Good – 12%
Satisfactory – 1%
In what kind of manner are you greeted on your arrival ?
Excellent – 86%
Good – 12%
Satisfactory – 2%
What is your experience of the current checking in procedure on arrival at the surgery?
Excellent – 83%
Good – 17%
Satisfactory – 0%
What is your experience of staff on your journey to the treatment area and during the time prior to your treatment commencing?
Excellent – 85%
Good – 15%
Satisfactory – 0%
Do you feel that you gave full and informed consent to the treatment you received today?
Excellent – 98%
Good – 2%
Satisfactory – 0%
How do you find communication with your dentist when discussing either proposed treatment or any concerns you may have regarded treatment?
Excellent – 84%
Good – 15%
Satisfactory – 1%
Did you have your medical history updated?
Excellent – 66%
Good – 34%
Satisfactory – 0%
Have you signed and been given a copy of your treatment plan and estimate?
Excellent – 68%
Good – 32%
Satisfactory – 0%
Overall were you satisfied with the quality of care that you received today?
Excellent – 97%
Good – 3%
Satisfactory – 0%
Greeting you in a friendly way
Excellent – 85%
Good – 13%
Satisfactory – 2%
Asking you questions about the reasons for your visit and listening carefully to your responses
Excellent – 88%
Good – 10%
Satisfactory – 2%
Explain what they are going to do before starting to examine you
Excellent – 88%
Good – 11%
Satisfactory – 1%
Letting you know what they find after examining you; not keeping you in the dark or confusing you
Excellent – 88%
Good – 10%
Satisfactory – 2%
Talking through the different options for your treatment helping you choose; not rushing ahead or telling you what to do.