Chiswick Dental Centre

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 1 March 2024 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.
• 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.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate life-saving equipment was available. However not all of the emergency medicines were available as per national guidelines. Following the inspection, the provider took timely action to rectify this.

Background

Chiswick Dental Centre is in Chiswick in the London Borough of Hounslow and provides private dental care and treatment for mainly adults.

The practice is situated on the first floor of the property and is not accessible for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Assistance is given to patients who need help negotiating stairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes the principal dentist who is a specialist prosthodontist, an associate dentist who is a specialist oral surgeon and 1 dental hygienist. A visiting qualified dental nurse and receptionist attend on an ad hoc basis. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm

Saturday from 9am to 1pm by prior appointment

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

• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment. In particular, ensuring that electro-mechanical servicing was complete.
• Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.