The Mindful Dentist

We carried out this announced inspection on 29 May 2019 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 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 form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

The Mindful Dentist is in Crystal Palace, London. The practice provides private treatment to adults and children.

There is level access via a ramp for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Restricted car parking spaces, including those for blue badge holders, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes three dentists, two qualified dental nurses who also undertake receptionist duties, a practice manager and a receptionist. The practice has a treatment room.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection, we obtained feedback from nine patients.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist and a dental nurse. We checked practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open at the following times:

Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm

Saturday - By appointment only

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared 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 practice had systems to help them manage risks to patients and staff.
• 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 were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had effective leadership.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well 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 suitable information governance arrangements.
• Improvements were required to ensure key background checks for new staff were undertaken, and to ensure a member of staff completed safeguarding vulnerable adults training.

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

• Review the protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Review practice's recruitment procedures to ensure that appropriate background checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.