We carried out this announced inspection on 15 March 2018 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.

We told the NHS England area team that we were inspecting the practice. They provided information that we used to assist us with the planning of the inspection.

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

Kingsland Dental Surgery is in Hackney and provides NHS treatment to patients of all ages.

The practice is located on the first floor of a building above local shops. There is no level access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs; however the practice have details of other local practices they can refer people on to.

The dental team includes two dentists and two dental nurses. The practice has two treatment rooms, a kitchen, waiting area for patients and a toilet.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection we collected 11 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. There were no patients booked at the time of our inspection so we were unable to speak with patients. The information from the review of the comment cards gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist and one dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.30pm. Appointments are only available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. Monday and Fridays are devoted to administration work, although the practice is open for patients to make appointments.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. Although staff could benefit from refreshing their knowledge of HTM 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.
• 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.

At the time of out visit we spoke with four people who used the service and three members of staff. People we spoke with were very happy with the service. One person told us, “I have come here for years. I wouldn’t change as I have confidence in the dentist.”

The people we spoke with told us they were happy with the service and were involved in their dental care plan. One person said, “the dentist always discusses the treatment options, they help me make a decision.”

Staff at the service felt supported by their manager. One member of staff we spoke with told us, “the manager supports me; they listen to what I want.”

There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.