We carried out this announced inspection on 2 October 2018 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 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

Camden High Street Practice Limited is Kings Cross in the London Borough of Camden. The practice provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

The practice is situated close to public transport bus and train services.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, five associate dentists, three dental hygienists, four dental nurses and one trainee dental nurse. The clinical team are supported by a practice manager, two receptionists and a compliance and safety officer.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers 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 registered manager at Camden High Street Practice Limited was the practice manager.

On the day of inspection we received feedback from 24 patients.

During the inspection we spoke with one associate dentist, one dental nurse, two receptionists, the compliance and safety officer and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday between 8:45am to 6pm.

Saturday 9:45am to 3pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The practice 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 risk.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• 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.
• The practice was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The practice had suitable information governance arrangements.

We noted that the atmosphere in the practice was professional and that there was a friendly ambiance.

We spoke to two patients during the inspection. Both were new patients of the practice and expressed that they were happy with the service provided. They felt that their views were always taken into consideration and that they were always involved in decision making with regards to their treatment.

They were happy with the amount of information on treatment options provided by the practice and also with the clarity of NHS versus Private treatment and fees.

Both patients advised us that they would be happy to recommend the practice to friends and family.