We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on18 November 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

Al-Attar & Associates Dental Surgeons is located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and provides private and NHS dental services. The opening hours for the practice were Monday to Friday 8.30- 5.00pm

The premises consist of two treatment rooms, a decontamination rooms and waiting area.

The practice comprises a principal dentist, a dentist, four nurses, and two receptionists.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual registered person. 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.

During the inspection we asked patients to complete CQC comment cards. We received 44 comment cards and spoke with three patients on the day of the inspection. The patients who provided feedback were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be caring, welcoming and they were treated with care, dignity and respect.

Our key findings were:

• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• 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) and Delivering Better Oral Health. Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties and equipment was well maintained.
• Staff were trained in and there was appropriate equipment for them to respond to medical emergencies.
• Patients told us that staff were caring and treated them with dignity and respect.
• Patients indicated that they felt they were listened to and that they received good care from a helpful and caring practice team.
• There were processes in place for patients to give their comments and feedback about the service including making complaints and compliments.
• There were good governance arrangements and an effective management structure.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should

Review the protocols for obtaining and maintaining accurate, complete and detailed records relating to staff employed for the purpose of carrying on the regulated activities, giving due regard to current legislation and guidance.

• Review the storage of dental care products and medicines requiring refrigeration to ensure they are stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance and the fridge temperature is monitored and recorded.

• Review the security of prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to monitor and track their use.

We spoke to two people who used the service and both were complimentary about the practice. One who had been with the practice for 10 years commented, "I recommend the practice to my family and friends." The other who had been coming to the practice for a year said, "I am nervous and the practice team really help calm me down; and the dentist is nice." They felt that they were well informed about the choices, the cost and possible outcomes of their treatment. One did raise an issue with privacy and didn't like the fact that the surgery door was left open on some occasions that they had been treated.

Staff had been with the practice for a considerable length of time which enabled the practice team to know the people who used the service well and deliver quality care in a caring environment.