We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 March 2017 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

Smile and Shine Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Hackney and provides NHS and private dental services.

The opening hours for the practice were Monday to Friday 9.00am.00 to 5.00pm.

The premises consist of a treatment room, a decontamination room and a reception area.

The practice comprises of a principal dentist, a dental nurse, and a trainee dental nurse /receptionist.

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

During the inspection we asked patients to complete CQC comment cards. We received feedback from 23 patients. The patients who provided feedback were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be caring and helpful and they were treated with care and respect.

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.
• Staff were trained in and there was appropriate equipment for them to respond to medical emergencies.
• Patients told us that staff were caring and treated them with dignity and respect.
• Patients indicated that they felt they were listened to and that they received good care from a helpful and caring practice team.
• There were processes in place for patients to give their comments and feedback about the service including making complaints and compliments.

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

Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.

• Review availability of medicines to manage medical emergencies taking into account 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 to ensure compliance with Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER) 2000.

We spoke with one person using the service. This person said they were "very happy" with the service. They said the dentist allowed plenty of time "to do everything properly". This person particularly liked that fact that some of the staff could speak and translate Albanian. The service took account of people's individual needs and preferences. Staff were friendly and polite and people's privacy was maintained. The premises were clean and hygienic.