Updated 24 June 2019
We carried out this announced inspection on 29 April 2019 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection 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 CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five 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:
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 providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
New Kings Road Dental Practice is in Fulham in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The practice provides predominantly private treatments to patients of all ages. The practice has a small NHS contract. The practice has four treatment rooms. Two of these rooms which were located in the basement were not in use due to a recent flooding incident.
The practice is situated close to public transport bus services.
The dental team includes the principal dentist who owns the practice, one visiting orthodontist, one associate dentist , two dental hygienists and one dental nurse. The clinical team are supported by a receptionist / 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.
On the day of inspection we received feedback from 10 people.
During the Inspection we spoke withthe principal dentist, the associate dentist, one of the hygienists, the dental nurse and the receptionist.
We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Mondays between 9am and 7pm
Tuesdays to Fridays between 9am and 6pm
Saturday between 9am and 2.30pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Improvements were needed so that all of the recommended life-saving equipment was available and appropriate checks were carried to ensure that these were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk. Some improvements were needed to these systems. For example assessing risks associated with the use and disposal of dental sharps.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- 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.
- The practice was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team. Improvements were needed to the arrangements for assessing risks for when clinical staff worked without chairside support.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The practice had suitable information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review availability of equipment to manage medical emergencies taking into account guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.
- Review the practice’s protocols for the use of dental dam for root canal treatment taking into account guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society.
- Review the practice’s sharps procedures and ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
- Review the current staffing arrangements to ensure all dental care professionals are adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting taking into account the guidance issued by the General Dental Council.
- Review its responsibilities to respond to the needs of patients with disability and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.