Hampstead Orthodontic Practice

We carried out an announced focused inspection on 01 February 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 provider 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 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 practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and 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.
• The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had information governance arrangements.

Background

Hampstead Orthodontic Practice is in the village of Hampstead and provides private orthodontic care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Paid car parking spaces were available near the practice. The practice is within easy reach of the London Underground, London Overground and local buses.

The dental team includes the owner who is the orthodontist, eight orthodontic therapists and three qualified dental nurses, three trainee dental nurses and four reception staff. They were supported by a full-time practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the orthodontist, two orthodontic therapists, the lead dental nurse, two reception staff 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 8.30-8pm

Tuesday 8.30-6pm

Wednesday 8.30-7pm

Thursday 8.30-6pm

Friday 8.30-5pm

Saturday 8.30-4pm.

During out of hours, patients could contact the emergency mobile number for care and treatment.

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

• Improve the practice protocols regarding auditing patient dental care records to check that necessary information is recorded.
• Ensure an effective process is established for the on-going appraisal of all staff; including the training, learning and development needs of individual staff members.