Updated 24 November 2023
We undertook a follow up focused inspection of East Finchley Smiles on 24 October 2023. This inspection was carried out to review the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements.
The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental advisor.
We had previously undertaken a comprehensive inspection of East Finchley Smiles on 14 July 2023 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We found the registered provider was not providing safe and well-led care and was in breach of regulations 12 and 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
We undertook an unannounced focused follow up inspection on 15 September 2023 and found that the provider was still in breach of regulations 12 and 17 and was not providing safe and well-led care. Due to the nature of concerns identified during the follow up inspection on 15 September 2023, we served a Notice of Proposal to the provider, proposing to suspend their registration for 2 months.
You can read our report of that inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for East Finchley Smiles dental practice on our website www.cqc.org.uk.
When 1 or more of the 5 questions are not met we require the service to make improvements. We then inspect again after a reasonable interval, focusing on the area(s) where improvement was required.
As part of this inspection we asked:
- Is it safe?
- Is it well-led?
During the inspection on 24 October 2023, we found that the risks identified on 15 September 2023 had been sufficiently mitigated. As it has served its purpose, we have withdrawn our notice of proposal to suspend the provider`s registration for 2 months.
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 15 September 2023.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 15 September 2023.
Background
East Finchley Smiles is in the London Borough of Barnet and provides NHS and 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 are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes the principal dentist, 3 associate dentists, 2 qualified dental nurses, 1 trainee dental nurse, 1 dental hygienist, 1 practice manager and 2 receptionists. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with principal dentist, the practice manager, 1 qualified dental nurse, and 1 receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 6pm.