We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 19 October 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

Dental Arts Studio Hendon is located in the London Borough of Barnet and provides NHS and private dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the ground floor and consist of four treatment rooms, an X-ray room and a decontamination room. The practice is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm, Tuesday 9:00am – 6:00pm, Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm.

The staff consists of five associate dentists, three dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse, a dental hygienist, two receptionists and a practice manager.

The previous practice manager was 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. The operations manager told us the formal process had started to appoint a new registered manager.

We reviewed 36 CQC comment cards, the NHS Friends and Family test and the practice patient satisfaction survey. Patients were positive about the service. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the staff.

The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

Our key findings were

• There were appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies. Staff knew where equipment was stored.
• We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and child protection.
• Equipment, such as the autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.
• Patients indicated that they found the team to be efficient, professional, caring and reassuring.
• Patients had good access to appointments, including emergency appointments, which were available on the same day.
• Leadership structures were clear and there were processes in place for dissemination of information and feedback to staff.
• 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).

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

• Review the protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their Continuing Professional Development.

Patients were complimentary about the service and said the dentist explained their treatment and listened to them. Patients’ medical histories were routinely taken and updated and this was audited regularly. Accurate and appropriate records were maintained about patients as well as the management of the practice. Every item of emergency equipment and medication recommended by the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) was in place and up to date. Training and procedures were in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies.

Patients we spoke with said they thought the practice was “clean.” We saw systems were in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Procedures to decontaminate dental instruments were in line with good practice requirements. The practice regularly audited these procedures, as required by the Department of Health.

Appropriate arrangements were in place to keep emergency medicines safely and enable access in the event of an emergency. Every item of emergency medication recommended by the Resuscitation Council UK was in place, in date and checked regularly.

The practice regularly assessed and monitored the quality of services provided and addressed any issues identified. Several audits and patient surveys had been undertaken and changes made as a result. When we asked a patient we spoke with if they would recommend the practice to others they said “yes, oh yes. In fact this practice was recommended by my partner, who is also very nervous.”