We carried out this announced inspection on 9 May 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

Clapton Dental Surgery is in the London Borough of Hackney and provides NHS and a small amount of private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.

The dental team includes three dentists, two dental nurses and practice manager who also performs reception duties. The practice has two treatment rooms, decontamination room, office and patient waiting room and reception.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection we collected feedback from 25 patients through completed CQC comment cards filled and speaking with patients.

During the inspection we spoke with one of the dentists, one of the dental nurses 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-Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm

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 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 and a culture of continuous improvement.
• 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.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

Review the practice’s protocols for referral of patients and ensure referrals are  monitored suitably. 

We spoke with two patients who used the service. Both patients said they were happy with the service and the treatment they received. This reflected the comments of the majority of other patients who gave their views in completed surveys. People said information about the cost and treatment was clearly explained to them. People's needs were assessed and their treatment was planned and delivered in line with their treatment plans. Staff received training and support for their professional development. There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. The practice used the views of patients to help improve the service.