We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 24 February 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.

Hatton Garden Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Camden. The practice comprises of two surgeries and a decontamination room. There is also a reception and waiting area. Toilet facilities for patients were also available.

The practice provides private dental services and treats both adults and children. The practice offers a range of dental services including routine examinations and treatment.

The staff structure of the practice comprises of a principal dentist, a hygienist, a dental nurse and a trainee dental nurse. The practice was open Monday to Thursday.

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

We received feedback from 26 patients. The feedback from the patients was positive in relation to the care they received from the practice. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the staff.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems in place to minimise the risks associated with providing dental services.
• The practice had policies and procedures in place for child protection and safeguarding adults.
• Equipment, such as the air compressor, autoclave (steriliser), and dental chair had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.
• Staff had access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) and other equipment and medicines to manage medical emergencies in line with current guidance
• Patients indicated that they felt they were listened to and that they received good care from a helpful and patient practice team.
• There were arrangements in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies
• There was a complaints procedure available for patients.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned. The practice had a clear management structure but there were limited governance arrangements in place for the smooth running of the practice.
• Improvements were required to ensure staff appraisals were undertaken at regular intervals.

There were areas where the principal dentist could make improvements and should:

• Review recruitment procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.
• Review the processes and systems in place for seeking and learning from patient and staff feedback with a view to monitoring and improving the quality of the service.

• Review the staff supervision protocols and ensure an effective process is established for the on-going appraisal of all staff.