We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 14 April 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

Family Dental Care is located in the London Borough of Harrow and provides mainly private dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the ground and first floor and consist of three treatment rooms, a reception area, an X-ray room and a dedicated decontamination room. The practice is open Monday -Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm and Friday - Saturday 8:30am - 1:00pm.

The staff consists of the principal dentist, four dental hygienists, one trainee dental nurse and four dental nurses, one of whom is the receptionist.

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.

We reviewed 30 CQC comment cards, the practice patient satisfaction survey and comments book. 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:

• 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).

• 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.

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

• Review its responsibilities as regards to the Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and, ensure all documentation is up to date and staff understand how to minimise risks associated with the use of and handling of these substances.

• Review availability of medicines and equipment to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.

• Review the practices’ current Legionella risk assessment and implement the required actions giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’

• Review the practice's protocols for medicines management and ensure all medicines are stored safely and securely.

• Review its audit protocols to ensure audits of various aspects of the service, such as radiography are undertaken at regular intervals to help improve the quality of service. Practice should also ensure that where appropriate audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.

People said that they were happy with the treatment that they had received.

Comments from people about the staff included “Everyone here is lovely" and " I’ve been coming here for years ".