We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 29 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

Sidcup Hill Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Bexley and provides NHS and private dental services. The demographics of the practice is mixture of working professionals, families and older people.

The staff structure of the practice comprised of a principal dentist (who is also the owner), two dentists, a receptionist, two dental nurses and a practice manager. The practice’s opening hours are .9.00am to 6.00pm five days a week.

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

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We received 39 completed cards . These provided a mostly positive view of the services the practice provides. All of the patients commented that the quality of care was good.

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 29 September 2015 as part of our planned inspection of all dental practices. The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a lead inspector and a specialist adviser.

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

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

• Review recruitment procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records including appropriate records of references are maintained for all staff.