Vidadent Practice

Updated 30 March 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the practice was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The inspection took place on 14 February 2017 and was undertaken by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

The methods used to carry out this inspection included speaking with the practice owners’ representative, and receptionist and one dental nurse, and reviewing documents and completed patient feedback forms.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?

These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Updated 30 March 2017

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 14 February 2017 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

Vidadent Practice located in Bethnal Green London provides private dental treatment to patients of all ages.

Practice staffing consists of the principal dentist, three associate dentists, one dental nurse and a practice manager.

The practice manager has submitted an application to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the registered manager position. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. 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.

The practice is open Monday to Sunday 10am to 8pm

The practice facilities include two treatment rooms a decontamination room, reception/waiting area, and a staff room/kitchen.

15 patients provided feedback about the service. Patients who completed comment cards were very positive about the care they received from the service. Patients told us that they were happy with the treatment and advice they had received.

Our key findings were:

• 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).

• The practice sought feedback from patients about the services they provided and acted on this to improve its services.
• The practice had a procedure for handling and responding to complaints, which were displayed and available to patients.
• Equipment, such as the autoclaves, fire extinguishers and compressor had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• Infection control protocols were being followed in line with recommended national guidance.
• The practice had not ensured that all the specified information relating to persons employed at the practice was obtained and appropriately recorded.
• Governance systems required improvement to ensure audits were undertaken regularly and were used to drive improvements .
• Staff we spoke with were aware of the safeguarding processes to follow to raise any concerns. The practice had whistleblowing policies and procedure and staff were aware of these and their responsibilities to report any concerns. Improvements were required to ensure all staff had received formal safeguarding children and adults training.

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

• Review the practice's policy and the storage of products identified under Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002 Regulations to ensure a risk assessment is undertaken and the products are stored securely.

• Review stocks of medicines and equipment and the system for identifying and disposing of out-of-date stock.
• 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 of various aspects of the service, such as infection control at regular intervals to help improve the quality of service.