We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 6 October 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

Beaconfield Dental l is located in the London Borough of Bromley and provides NHS and private dental services. The demographics of the practice is mixture of working professionals, families and older people.

The staff structure of the practice comprised of a principal dentist (who is also the owner), five dentists, three dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse and a receptionist/dental nurse.

Facilities within the practice include two treatment rooms, an Orthopantomogram X-ray room( OPG is a rotational panoramic dental radiograph that allows the clinician to view the upper and lower jaws and teeth. It is normally a 2-dimensional representation of these), a dedicated decontamination area, and a reception area.

The practice was open Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00pm . There were extended opening hours till 8.00pm. Appointments were available on Saturdays by appointment.

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.

During the inspection we reviewed 26 completed CQC comment cards. 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 friendly and helpful and they were treated with 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 best practice guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties and equipment was well maintained.
• Patients told us that staff were caring and treated them with dignity and respect.
• There were processes in place for patients to give their comments and feedback about the service including making complaints and compliments.
• There was a clear vision for the practice. Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice.

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

• Review recruitment procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records including appropriate records of references are maintained for all staff.
• Review practice policies and ensure a policy on safeguarding adults is available for staff to refer to.

People told us they were happy with the service they received from their dentist. People also said they were pleased to have NHS treatment available at the practice.

People said it was easy to obtain a convenient appointment, and they were seen quickly in an emergency.

People told us they were happy with the service they received from their dentist. People also said they were pleased to have NHS treatment available at the practice.

People said it was easy to obtain a convenient appointment, and they were seen quickly in an emergency.