Archived: North Cheam Dental Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 01 September 2015 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

North Cheam Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Sutton. The premises consist of two treatment rooms and one dedicated decontamination room. There are also toilet facilities, waiting area, a reception area and a staff room.

The practice provides NHS and private dental services and treats both adults and children. The practice offers a range of dental services including routine examinations and treatment, veneers, crowns and bridges and oral hygiene.

The staff structure of the practice comprises of three dentists which includes the provider (who was the manager and the owner), three dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse and a hygienist.

The practice is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6:00pm.

One of the principal dentists is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. 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.

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

We received CQC comment cards completed by patients. Patients had commented positively about the dentist and their experience of being treated at the practice.

Our key findings were:

• The practice recorded and analysed significant events and complaints and shared learning with staff.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities regarding child protection and safeguarding vulnerable adults.
• Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed the related guidance.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, options and risks and were involved in making decisions.
• The practice was well-led and staff worked as a team.
• Governance systems were effective and there was a range of clinical and non-clinical audits to monitor the quality of services.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided
• The practice ensured staff attended relevant training to maintain the necessary skills and competence to meet patients’ needs.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.