Archived: Dental Surgery

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 10 February 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

Dental Surgery is located in the London Borough of Hackney and provides NHS dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the first and second floor, above retail premises, and consist of two treatment rooms, a reception area and a dedicated decontamination room. The practice is open Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm and Saturday 9:00 – 1:00pm.

The staff consists of the principal dentist, one dental nurse and a trainee dental nurse. The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. 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.

We reviewed 10 NHS Friend and Family test comment cards completed by patients. Patients who completed the comment cards were positive about the service. We spoke with two patients on the day of the inspection. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the staff.

The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor

Our key findings were:

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

• The practice had an ongoing programme of risk assessments and audits which were used to drive improvement.

• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.

• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.

• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and child protection

• Equipment, such as the air compressor, autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.

• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.

• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.

• Patients indicated that they found the team to be efficient, professional, caring and reassuring.

• All clinical staff were up to date with their continuing professional development.

• There was a comprehensive induction and training programme for staff to follow which ensured they were skilled and competent in delivering safe and effective care and support to patients.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review recruitment procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.