We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 31 August 2016 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

The Dental Rooms (NW11) Practice Limited is located in the London Borough of Barnet and provides private orthodontic treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the first and second floors and consist of three treatment rooms, two decontamination rooms and a reception area. The practice is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 2:30pm – 7:00pm and Tuesday 2:30pm – 5:15pm.

The staff consist of the principal dentist, four associate dentists, a dental hygienist, two dental nurses, two receptionists and a practice manager.

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.

We reviewed 27 CQC comment cards and the practice patient satisfaction survey. Patients were positive about the service. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the staff.

The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

Our key findings were:

• 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).
• We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and child protection.
• Equipment, such as the autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.
• Patients indicated that they found the team to be efficient, professional, caring and reassuring.
• Patients had good access to appointments, including emergency appointments, which were available on the same day.
• Leadership structures were clear and there were processes in place for dissemination of information and feedback to staff.

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

• Review the storage of records related to people employed and the management of regulated activities giving due regard to current legislation and guidance.
• Review the training, learning and development needs of individual staff members and have an effective process established for the on-going assessment and supervision of all staff.

We were able to speak to parents of patients of the dental practice. They indicated that they had been treated with respect and dignity. They expressed satisfaction with the care and treatment provided. The practice has a policy for ensuring that all patients are treated with respect and dignity.

Parents of patients made positive comments about staff and indicated that they had confidence in the dentist and other staff who attended to them. Detailed assessments and treatment plans had been prepared for patients. Treatment had been given with the agreement and written consent of patients’ parents..

The premises were clean and well maintained. There are arrangements for infection control checks and daily cleaning tasks. Staff were knowledgeable regarding infection control and decontamination procedures for equipment and instruments used. There was documented evidence that equipment used had been maintained and inspected by specialist contractors.