Mr Aun Ki Fang

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 27 May 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• 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.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
• There were systems in place to ensure the dental equipment was serviced regularly. However, improvements were needed to ensure that the premises were safe.
• Risks to staff and patients from undertaking of regulated activities had not been suitably identified and mitigated.
• There were ineffective systems to ensure that staff were up to date with their recommended training as set out by the General Dental Council.

Background

Mr Aun Ki Fang is in Finchley, in the London Borough of Barnet, and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is located close to public transport links and car parking spaces are available nearby.

The dental team includes one principal dentist, one associate dentist, two dental nurses, one dental hygienist, and one receptionist. The dental team is supported by a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, one dental nurse, and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm

Thursday and Saturday 8.30am to 5pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.

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

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