We carried out this announced inspection on 18 January 2019 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 Care Quality Commission (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

Mint Dental Clinic is in Elephant and Castle, London, and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

There is level access via a ramp for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The clinical team includes a principal dentist, an associate dentist, a visiting dentist who has a special interest in endodontology, a visiting dentist who provides implant treatments, a qualified dental nurse, a trainee dental nurse, and a dental hygienist. The clinical team is supported by a practice manager. The manager and trainee dental nurse also undertake receptionist duties.

The practice has two treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by an organisation, and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC 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 Mint Dental Clinic is the principal dentist.

On the day of inspection, we collected eight CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, the qualified dental nurse, the trainee dental nurse/receptionist, and the practice manager. We checked practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open at the following times:

Monday, Wednesday: 9am – 5.30pm

Tuesday: 9am – 7pm

Thursday: 10am – 7pm

Saturday: 9am – 1pm by appointment only

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The provider 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 to patients and staff.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had thorough 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.
• Staff were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The provider had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.