We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 05 May 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

Kenton Dental Clinic is located in the London Borough of Brent and provides mainly private dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the ground floor and consist of two treatment rooms, a reception area and a dedicated decontamination room. The practice is open Monday and Thursday 9:00am - 1:00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.

The staff consists of the principal dentist, two associate dentists, two dental hygienists, five dental nurses, and a receptionist who is also the support manager.

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 32 CQC comment cards, the NHS Friends and Family test and the practice patient satisfaction survey. 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:

• There were appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies. Staff knew where equipment was stored.

• 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 availability of 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 recruitment procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.

Patients who used the dental practice were positive about the quality of dental service they received. They told us they were treated with respect and staff were welcoming and approachable.

Patients told us the dentist informed them of the action that they could take to improve their dental health. They confirmed that they felt involved in their dental treatment plan, and were provided with treatment options, which were explained to them in a way they understood. They told us the costs of treatment were made clear to them before treatment commenced, and they were asked for their consent prior to all treatment. Patients said their privacy and dignity were respected and the dental surgery was always very clean.

There were arrangements for infection control checks and daily cleaning tasks. Staff were knowledgeable regarding infection control and decontamination procedures for equipment and instruments used. Equipment had been checked and maintained by specialist contractors.