Mornington Dental Surgery

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 30 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 with the exception of oropharyngeal airways.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
• Safeguarding processes should be improved to ensure that arrangements included both children and vulnerable adults.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation; however, this policy was not bespoke to the practice.
• 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.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

This report is about Mornington Dental Surgery also known as MB Dental.

Mornington Dental Surgery is in the London Borough of Camden and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the rear of the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. However, the area was pebbled which potentially made it difficult for service users to manoeuvre. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements by ensuring the toilet was accessible and had handrails and an emergency pull cord system.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, 2 associate dentists- 1 of whom had a special interest in endodontics, 2 qualified dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist and 1 receptionist. They were supported by a visiting compliance personnel who attended the practice quarterly. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

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

The practice is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm and Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 6pm.

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

• Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.

• Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring, and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular: sharps safety and lone working.