Dentexcel - Dr Keith Cohen

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 04 August 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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

Dentexcel – Dr. Keith Cohen is located in the London Borough of Westminster and provides private dental treatment to both adults and children.

In addition to general dentistry the practice provides specialist treatment in prosthodontics, paedodontics, oral surgery and orthodontintics.

The premises are on the first floor and consist of three treatment rooms, an X-ray room, a reception area and a dedicated decontamination room. The practice is open Monday to Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm.

The staff consists of the principal dentist, eight associate dentists, four dental nurses, two trainee dental nurses, one receptionist and a practice manager.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual ‘registered person’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We reviewed three CQC comment cards and the practice patient satisfaction survey. Patients were positive about the service. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the staff.

The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

Our key findings were:

• We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and child protection.
• Equipment, such as the autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.

• Patients indicated that they found the team to be efficient, professional, caring and reassuring.
• Patients had good access to appointments, including emergency appointments, which were available on the same day.
• Leadership structures were clear and there were processes in place for dissemination of information and feedback to staff.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• There were appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies. Staff knew where equipment was stored.
• Review the storage of records related to people employed and the management of regulated activities giving due regard to current legislation and guidance.
• Review the practice’s safeguarding staff training ensuring it covers both children and adults and all staff are trained to an appropriate level for their role and aware of their responsibilities.
• Review the practice’s audit protocols to ensure audits of various aspects of the service, such as radiography and dental care records are undertaken at regular intervals to help improve the quality of service. Practice should also check that where applicable audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
• Review the protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their Continuing Professional Development.
• Review the training, learning and development needs of individual staff members and have an effective process established for the on-going assessment and supervision of all staff.
• Review the current Legionella risk assessment and implement the required actions including the monitoring and recording of water temperatures, giving due regard to the guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.
• Review its complaint handling procedures and establish an accessible system for identifying, receiving, recording, handling and responding to complaints by patients.