We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 13 July 2015 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

Hampstead Dental Specialists is situated in Constantine Road, Hampstead, London. It offers private dental care services to patients of all ages. The services provided include preventative advice and treatment and routine and restorative dental care. Treatment and waiting rooms are on the ground floor of the premises.

The practice has five part time dentists, three dental nurses, 2 hygienists, 1 dental therapist, a practice manager and two receptionists. The practice is open Monday to Thursday between 8am and 9pm and on Friday from 9am to 2pm.

We spoke with five patients who used the service on the day of the inspection and reviewed 26 Care Quality Commission comment cards. Patients we spoke with were positive about the care they received from the practice. They commented they had no difficulties in arranging a convenient appointment and staff were caring, helpful and respectful.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had safe systems in place for infection prevention and control and for the decontamination of dental instruments.

• Staff received training appropriate to their roles and told us they felt well supported to carry out their work.

• Patients told us they were treated with kindness and respect by staff. Staff ensured there was sufficient time to explain fully the care and treatment they were providing in a way patients understood. Patients commented they felt involved in their treatment and that it was fully explained to them.

• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed. There were clear instructions for patients regarding out of hours care.

• There were governance arrangements in place to guide the management of the practice.

• The practice had effective systems in place to assess, monitor and mitigate the risks relating to the health, safety and welfare of patients, staff and visitors.

• All necessary equipment required for the management of medical emergencies was available.

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

• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental records giving due regard to guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.
• Ensure all significant events, incidents and near misses are logged and reviewed.

We spoke to one patient during the inspection. He advised us that he had been a patient at the practice for over fifteen years. He expressed the view that he was very happy with the service provided. He felt his views were always taken into consideration, he was always involved in decision making with regards to his treatment and his rights and privacy were always respected. He was happy with the amount of information on treatment options provided by the practice and also with the clarity of treatment charging.

We observed that staff were courteous, respectful and willing to give patients advice. This was confirmed by a patient who advised us that he would definitely recommend the practice to friends and family. The practice ensured that the safety of patients was always paramount by abiding with current legislation, guidelines and recommendations.

The practice ensured that the care provided to patients was appropriate to their needs and that cleanliness and infection control was maintained at a high standard. Staff were supported and trained appropriately.