We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 09 March 2017 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

My-Dental Care is located in the London Borough of Haringey. The practice provides NHS and private dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the ground floor and consist of three treatment rooms and a reception area. The practice is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:00am – 6:00pm, Tuesday 9:00am – 8:00pm, Friday 8:00am – 2:00pm and Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm.

The staff consists of the principal dentist, five associate dentists, a dental hygienist, five dental nurses and three receptionists.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual ‘registered person’. 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 26 CQC comment cards, the NHS Friends and Family test, and the practice patient satisfaction survey and comments box. 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:

• We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
• 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 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.
• 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 areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review the protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their Continuing Professional Development.

The practice staff were very friendly welcoming and informative. The practice was very clean and well maintained.

There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk of infection. The decontamination took place within the surgeries. Staff were able to describe the decontamination process to us and provide evidence to show that the correct checks were carried out on the equipment used for decontamination.

We spoke to three patients who used the service and they told us that they had had their treatment fully explained to them and any alternative options also explained to them and understood that their treatment was being provided on the NHS.

The patients had consented to treatment and the staff were well trained and caring. The practice have bi monthly staff meetings which are formal with agendas and documented minutes, we saw that the practice was well organised and patients were consulted about their views of the service.

The practice had carried out a patient survey which showed very good satisfaction overall. We looked at some of the comments patients made which included 'My family and I have been patients of the dentist for many years and are very happy with him and his services' and 'Good environment and excellent service'.