We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 14 July 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

Dentica – London located in City and Hackney and provides private dental services.

The service is open Monday, Thursday from 1pm to 8pm, one Saturday per month from 2pm to 8pm. The premises consists of three treatment rooms, a decontamination room and a waiting area.

The practice comprises of a principal dentist, a dentist and a trainee nurse.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individualregistered 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 feedback from patients. 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, friendly and helpful 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 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.
• 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 staff awareness of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the Act as it relates to their role.

• Review the practice’s arrangements for receiving and responding to patient safety alerts, recalls and rapid response reports issued from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and through the Central Alerting System (CAS), as well as from other relevant bodies such as, Public Health England (PHE).

• Review arrangements for advertising out of hours emergency details.

As part of our inspection we spoke with one person who visited Mrs Agnieszka Findysz-Kotomski's practice on the day of our visit. This person was very satisfied with the quality of care offered. He told us that he was happy with his treatment plan, which was thoroughly explained by Mrs Findysz-Kotomski. He also liked the fact that 'there were never any financial surprises' and he knew how much exactly he would be required to pay for his treatment.

We also looked satisfaction surveys, which patients were asked to complete following their visit to the clinic. We found that the majority of the patients were very satisfied with Mrs Findysz-Kotomski's practices. Some of the comments from her patients were:

- 'You can't get any higher than 10 out of 10'

- 'Nice and professional dentist, very good service'

- 'I like that everything is explained very well'.

- 'Clear explanations on the work needed. Friendly atmosphere, real attention to my comfort. Always willing to answer any questions'.

- 'Professional and good attitude to the patient'.