We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 16th June 2015 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.

The inspection took place over one day and was undertaken by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector and dental specialist adviser. We spoke with staff and reviewed policies and procedures and dental records. 13 patients provided feedback to us about the service.

Perfect Smile – New Kings Road is located in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and provides private dental services. The demographics of the practice was mainly working age group professionals. The opening times of the practice are: Monday 9.00am - 7.00pm ;

Tuesday 11.00am - 7.00pm

Wednesday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm

Alternate Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm

Facilities within the practice include two treatment rooms, a dedicated decontamination area, and a reception area.

The staff structure of the practice is comprised of a principal dentist (who is also the owner), four dentists, two hygienists, three dental nurses, the practice manager and an area manager.

The area manager was 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.

To assess the quality of care provided by the practice, we looked at practice policies and protocols and other records.

Our key findings were

:

• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection,
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with best practice guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• Although most dental care records were suitably completed there were areas that needed improvement.
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties and equipment was well maintained.

• Patients told us they were treated with dignity and respect and involved in treatment planning.

• Audits were undertaken for various aspects of the service; however not all audits had documented action plans and evidence of identified learning.

• There were processes in place for patients to give their comments and feedback about the service including making complaints and compliments.

• There was a clear vision for the practice. Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental records giving due regard to guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.

• Review the practice’s protocols for recording in the patients’ dental care records or elsewhere the reason for taking the X-ray and quality of the X-ray giving due regard to the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) 2000.

• Ensure all audits have documented action plans and the identified learning is shared with staff to help improve the quality of the care.