We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 13 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

My Dental Surgery – Kenton Road is located in the London Borough of Brent and provides NHS and private dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the ground floor and consist of three treatment rooms, an X-ray room, a reception area and a dedicated decontamination room. The practice is open Monday to Friday 8:30am - 6:00pm.

The staff consists of two principal dentists, eleven associate dentists, one dental hygienist/therapist, six dental nurses, two of whom were receptionists, and a trainee dental nurse.

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.

We reviewed 36 CQC comment cards, the NHS Friends and Family test, the practice patient satisfaction survey and comments from the practice 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:

• 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

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• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.

• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints

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• 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.

We talked with a patient and read feedback from other patients. Patients had a positive view of the services provided at the dental practice. A patient told us, “The dentist is very nice. He explains things to you”. Feedback from patient questionnaires was equally positive. One read, “I have been very happy with the service provided. Staff have always been very helpful and caring”.

Overall, we found patients were satisfied with the quality of the service they received. Their comments were largely positive. Patients were involved in their care and there was evidence from their treatment records that treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual needs.

The dentist and staff were aware of different forms of abuse and knew who they needed to contact in instances where they needed to make a referral.