Archived: Hendon Dental Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 July 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 well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Hendon Dental Practice is situated in Station Road, Hendon, London. It is part of the Smile Cliniq group of practices that has three practices in the North London area. It offers NHS and private dental care services to patients of all ages. The services provided include preventative advice and treatment and routine and restorative dental care. Treatment and waiting rooms are on the ground floor of the premises.

The practice has two full time dentists, two dental nurses, a practice manager and two receptionists. The practice is open on Monday between 10am and 5pm and on Friday from 9-00am to 4pm. Patients are also offered appointments at one of the other practices within the group if they need one on other days of the week.

We spoke with six patients who used the service following the inspection as the practice was closed on the day of our visit. Patients we spoke with were positive about the care they received from the practice. They commented they had no difficulties in arranging a convenient appointment and staff were caring, helpful and respectful.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had safe systems in place for infection prevention and control and for the decontamination of dental instruments.

• Staff received training appropriate to their roles and told us they felt well supported to carry out their work.

• Patients told us they were treated with kindness and respect by staff. Staff ensured there was sufficient time to explain fully the care and treatment they were providing in a way patients understood. Patients commented they felt involved in their treatment and that it was fully explained to them.

• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed. There were clear instructions for patients regarding out of hours care.

• There were governance arrangements in place to guide the management of the practice.

• The practice had effective systems in place to assess, monitor and mitigate the risks relating to the health, safety and welfare of patients, staff and visitors.

• The practice undertook documentation of care records in line with current guidance for example from the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP).

• All necessary equipment required for the management of medical emergencies was available.

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

• Ensure the COSHH file was regularly updated.
• Ensure a stock control system is maintained for medicines kept on the premises.

Monitor and record fridge temperatures on all days the practice was open.