We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 26 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.

Progressive Care is located in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and provides only private dental services.

The demographics of the practice was mainly working professionals. The practice opening hours are: Monday 9am - 5.30pm, Tuesday 8am - 4pm, Wednesday 10am - 7pm, Thursday 9am - 5.30pm, Friday 9am - 3pm and Saturday 9am - 1pm.

Facilities within the practice include two surgeries, 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), a dental nurses and the practice manager.

The practice 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.

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. We spoke with four patients and received 12 CQC comment cards completed by patients

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).
• 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 we spoke with and CQC comment cards we received told us that staff were caring and treated them with dignity and respect.
• 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 and governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice.

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

• Maintain accurate, complete and detailed records relating to employment of staff. This includes keeping appropriate records of references taken.

• Include details of the local safeguarding team in the safeguarding policy.

• Review infection control procedures in regards to conducting Legionella risk assessments and validating the ultrasonic cleaner, giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’
• Review availability of equipment to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.
• 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.