We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 21 September 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.

Background

Quex Dental Care is located in the London Borough of Camden and provides private and NHS dental services. The demographics of the practice is families and working professionals.

The staff structure of the practice is comprised of a principal dentist, three dentists, a practice manager, a head nurse and three trainee dental nurses.

Facilities within the practice include two treatment rooms (decontamination was carried out in one of the treatment rooms) and a reception area.

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 practice opening times were between 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday.

We reviewed 27 Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards that had been completed by patients attending in the practice in the two-week period prior to our inspection visit. Patients said they were given clear treatment options which were discussed in an easy to understand language by practice staff. Patients understood and consented to treatment.

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 current 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 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 making suggestions.
• 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 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 infection control procedures and protocols 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 storage of dental care records to ensure they are stored in a secure location not accessible to the public.

This was a small but efficient practice. The staff placed customer care at the core of their provision. People were seen to be involved in their care plans. The practice was well organised by the practice manager and the team was well led by the provider.

We spoke with two people. One told us, "he’s really very good. I feel comfortable here."

Another person told us "He listens to me. I understand the options."