Westminster House Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 30 June 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 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:

• The dental clinic was 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

Westminster House Dental Practice is part of Rodericks Dental Limited, a group Dental care provider.

Westminster House Dental Practice is in the London Borough of Westminster and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice is located close to public transport services. The practice has made a number of adjustments to support patients with additional needs. These included step free access via a lift, adapted toilet facilities and a hearing induction loop. Language interpretation services were available where required.

The dental team includes eight dentists, one dental nurse and five trainee dental nurses, one dental hygienist. The clinical team are supported by two receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, the dental nurse, one of the trainee dental nurses, the practice manager and one of the organisations compliance managers. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Mondays – Thursdays between 8am and 8pm

Fridays between 8am and 6.30pm

Saturdays between 9am and 1pm

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, as part of the provider’s ‘Go Green’ policy there were systems to reduce paper waste by issuing paper free invoicing systems. Sensor lighting was installed at the practice to reduce energy consumption and staff car sharing for travel to and from work was encouraged wherever this was practical.