We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 8 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

Streatham Common Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Lambeth and provides NHS and private dental care services to patients. The practice is open various times Monday to Fridays and one Saturday a month. The practice is set out over two floors and has two surgeries (one downstairs and one upstairs), a decontamination room, staff room, reception and patient waiting area. The demographics of the practice was mixed with patients from a wide range of backgrounds.

We received 20 completed Care Quality Commission comment cards and spoke with four patients during our inspection and their feedback was generally positive. They told us staff were friendly and helpful and that the treatment they received was good. They described the premises as always being clean and tidy.

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.
• Patients were involved in their care planning and were enabled to make informed decisions.
• Staff were up to date with their continuing professional development requirements.
• Appropriate governance arrangements were in place to facilitate the smooth running of the service including audits being undertaken regularly.
• There was appropriate equipment available, and staff had access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies.

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

• Review staff awareness of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the Act as it relates to their role.
• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental care records giving due regard to guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.