We carried out this unannounced inspection on 18 April 2017 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

Harley Street Dental Clinic Limited is situated in the London Borough of Westminster and provides private treatment to patients of all ages. Treatments range from general dentistry to specialist services including maxillofacial, orthodontics and paediatrics.

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

The dental team includes 16 dentists, nine dental nurses, two dental hygienists, three dental hygienist therapist, three receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has eight treatment rooms and two waiting rooms.

The practice is owned by Harley Street Dental Clinic Limited and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers 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 registered manager at Harley Street Dental Clinic Limited was the practice manager.

On the day of inspection we spoke with four patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with four dentists, three dental nurses, two receptionists, a clinical manager and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open 8.30am to 7.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 6.30 pm Saturdays.

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 in place, though improvements could be made to ensure all staff underwent necessary checks as per current legislation.
• 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 appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.