We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 27 June 2016 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

Abbey Arms Dental Practice located in Newham provides NHS and private dental treatment to patients of all ages.

Practice staffing consists of the principal dentist, one associate dentist, two dental nurses and one receptionist.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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 Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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

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

Our key findings were:

• Staff had been trained to handle medical emergencies, and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Staff had received safeguarding children and adults training and knew the 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.
• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Dental instruments were cleaned and sterilised in line with current guidance.
• There were systems in place to ensure that all equipment was maintained in line with manufacturer’s guidelines.
• The practice ensured staff were trained and that they maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• The practice had a procedure for handling and responding to complaints, which were displayed and available to patients.
• Governance systems were effective and there were a range of policies and procedures in place which underpinned the management of the practice.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided and acted on this to improve its services.
• Rubber dam was not being used routinely by the dentists.

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

• Review the practice’s protocols for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment taking into account guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society.
• Review the practice’s protocols for recording in the patients’ dental care records or elsewhere the quality of the X-ray giving due regard to the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER) 2000.

We spoke to three people that use the service, who were all very complimentary about the service. People told us that they were seen very promptly and were provided with good explanations about their dental health needs, including the costs of treatments. The service was described as being friendly and well managed.