Camberwell Dental Care

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 6 December 2022 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 to be visibly 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 help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Camberwell Dental Practice is in Camberwell Green in the London borough of Southwark and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is set out over 5 floors. There is level access to the building for those with pushchairs, however the dental surgeries are not located on this level and not accessible for wheelchair users. The practice has arrangements with other local practices to refer wheelchair users to if required. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice for a fee.

The dental team includes 2 principal dentists, 4 associate dentists, 3 dental nurses, 4 trainee dental nurses and 3 receptionists. The practice has 6 treatment rooms.

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

The practice is open:

8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday

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

• Take action to ensure the suitability of the premises and ensure all areas are fit for the purpose for which they are being used. (In particular ensuring that the electrical installation checks are done at the appropriate intervals.
• Implement a system to ensure patient referrals to other dental or health care professionals are centrally monitored to ensure they are received in a timely manner and not lost.