We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 23 December 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

Kensington Dental Practice in Kensington, London provides NHS and private dental treatment to patients of all ages.

Practice staffing consists of two principal dentists, three associate dentists, one hygienist, two dental nurses and two receptionists.

One of the principal dentists 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 practice is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm.

The practice facilities include three treatment rooms, a reception and waiting area, a decontamination room, and a staff room/kitchen.

32 patients provided feedback about the service. Patients who completed comment cards were very positive about the care they received from the service. Patients told us that they were happy with the treatment and advice they had received.

Our key findings were:

• Equipment, such as the autoclaves, fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
• Staff had received safeguarding children and adults training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns. The practice had whistleblowing policies and procedure and staff were aware of these and their responsibilities to report any concerns.
• The practice had a procedure for handling and responding to complaints, which were displayed and available to patients.
• 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).
• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Dental instruments were cleaned and sterilised in line with current guidance.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Staff had been trained to handle medical emergencies, and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• The practice sought feedback from patients about the services they provided and acted on this to improve its services.
• Governance systems were effective and there were a range of policies and procedures in place which underpinned the management of the practice. However infection control audits were not being carried out to monitor the quality of services.

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

• Review the practice's policy and the storage of products identified under Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002 Regulations to ensure a risk assessment is undertaken and the products are stored securely.
• Review its audit protocols to ensure infection control audits are undertaken at regular intervals and where applicable learning points are documented and shared with all relevant staff.

People who use the service said they were satisfied with the treatment they had received and way it was provided. "I have been using the service for ten years and would not have done if not completely satisfied".

They said the procedure for consultation and treatment had been explained clearly to them including cost.They were also told about any risks that might arise from treatments.They felt treated with dignity, respect by all practice staff and had received consultations and treatment in private. "I have recommended others to the practice". "I am a nervous patient and staff made me feel assured.

They did not comment on the practice safeguarding or infection control systems. They did tell us they thought the practice was kept clean, tidy and well maintained.