We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 30 June 2015 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

Aesthtika Dental Studio is located in the London Borough of Kingston. The premises consist of two treatment rooms, a decontamination room, waiting room with reception area and two toilets.

The practice provides private dental services and treats both adults and children. The practice offers a range of dental services including routine examinations and treatment, veneers, crowns and bridges, and oral hygiene.

The staff structure of the practice is comprised of two principal dentists (who were also the owners), one hygienist and one trainee dental nurse. The dental nurse also acts as receptionist and the principal dentists are working jointly to manage the practice until the practice manager post is filled.

The practice is open on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm, on Tuesday 9:00am to 8:00pm, Wednesday 9.00am to 5.00pm, and on Saturday 9:00am to 2:00pm. . Staff told us they accommodated patients if they needed earlier or later appointments.

This is a new practice which registered with the CQC in January 2015. It has not previously been inspected. One of the principal dentists is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality 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.

We carried out an announced, comprehensive inspection on 30 June 2015. The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector who had access to remote advice from a dentist specialist advisor.

We collected feedback from 20 patients via comment cards. They all described a very positive view of the service. Patients commented that the whole team were welcoming, professional, caring, respectful and friendly.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems in place to record and analyse significant events and complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• Staff had received safeguarding and whistleblowing training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.
• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies; appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Infection control procedures were robust and the practice followed published guidance on the majority of occasions, however, there were minor areas for improvement.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current legislation.
• 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.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
• There was an effective complaints system and the practice was open and transparent with apologies given if a mistake had been made.

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

• Ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 as it relates to their role.