Albany Dental Centre

We carried out this announced inspection on 7 July 2021 under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a Care Quality Commission, (CQC), inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it well-led?

These are three of the five questions that form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Albany Dental Centre is in The London Borough of Camden and provides predominantly NHS and some private dental treatment to adults and children. The provider- Mr Alan Bookey is registered as an organisation with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide the regulated activities of treatment of disease, disorder or injury, surgical procedures and diagnostic and screening procedures from one location - 50 Haverstock Hill, London, NW3 2BH.

The practice is situated on the ground floor consisting of four surgeries, a separate decontamination room, an office, staff room, accessible patient toilet, staff toilet and a large open-plan reception area/waiting room. There is also a cleaner’s cupboard and a separate storage space used for storing clinical waste awaiting collection.

The practice is accessible by Transport for London underground and bus services and is within easy access to local amenities. The practice is fully accessible for patients in wheelchairs and hand-rails are available for those with restricted mobility. Paid parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.

The dental team is made up three dentists, three locum dental hygienists, two dental nurses-one of whom is a trainee and one receptionist/administrator. They are supported by a self-employed visiting compliance lead and the trainee practice manager.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They 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 practice is open between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday. During out of hours, patients are advised to contact the 111 service for advice and or treatment; details of this was available on the practice’s answerphone message as well as on a poster on the front door to the building. The practice has a website where patients can complete appointments requests.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, a dental hygienist, a dental nurse, the trainee practice manager and the compliance lead. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• The practice had taken steps to minimise the risk of the corona virus to patients and staff.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider had information governance arrangements.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Implement an effective system for investigating and reviewing incidents with a view to preventing further occurrences and ensuring that improvements are made as a result.