MP Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 2 March 2023 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 practice 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

MP Dental is in Bermondsey in the London borough of Southwark 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, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes 2 principal dentists, 3 associate dentists, 1 foundation dentist, 5 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 3 trainee dental nurses, 2 practice managers, 1 support staff and 2 receptionists. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with both principal dentists, 1 associate dentist, 1 dental nurse, 1 receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. The practice had a sustainability plan which outlined the interventions in place for sustainable dentistry. This included:

• Using digital impression equipment to significantly reduce the use of clinical impression materials.
• Using digital x-ray systems to reduce the amount of radiation released into the environment
• Paperless clinics with all systems digitalised
• Purified water is used for all the practice dental needs. The practice said this utilised water pressure to eliminate the use of electricity which was eco-friendly
• The heating in the practice was via heat pumps. The practice told us that heat pumps are an ecologically friendly way to provide heating and air conditioning in the practice.
• The practice offered “one visit dentistry.” They had equipment that could make dental crowns instantly on site so patients did not have to book multiple appointments to revisit or have temporary crowns or impressions.