K2 Dental

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 31 January 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 largely reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Improvements were required to ensure all appropriate life-saving equipment was available as per current national guidance
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect.
• 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.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• Improvements were needed to help the provider manage better the risks for patients, staff and the premises, and to support continuous improvements.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation; however, some staff records needed completion.
• The leadership and oversight for the day-to-day management of the service needed improvements.

Background

K2 Dental is in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. 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.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, a trainee dental nurse, 2 dental hygienists, a team coordinator and a receptionist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one of the principal dentists, the trainee dental nurse, the receptionist and the team coordinator. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday and Friday from 8am to 4.30pm

Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 5.30pm

Wednesday from 8am to 7pm

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, the practice provided a drop-off point to encourage recycling of toothpaste tubes. The practice also had a policy to minimise unnecessary energy use.

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

• Take action to ensure the suitability of the premises and ensure all areas are fit for the purpose for which they are being used. In particular ensure the mains electrical 5 yearly check is carried out.

• Implement a system to ensure patient referrals to other dental or health care professionals are centrally monitored to ensure they are received in a timely manner and not lost.

• Implement protocols for the use of closed -circuit television cameras taking into account the guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office.

• Take action to ensure audits of radiography and infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.

• Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.