We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 05 October 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 Dentist Woodside Park is located in the London Borough of Barnet and provides private dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the ground floor and consist of two treatment rooms, an X-ray room, a CBCT scanner room, a decontamination room and the reception areas. The practice is open Monday - Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm.

The staff consists of the principal dentist, an associate dentist, a dental hygienist, two dental nurses, a receptionist and a practice coordinator.

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 21 CQC comment cards 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 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 availability of medicines and 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 protocols for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment giving due regard to guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society.
• Review the practice protocol for the Duty of Candour under The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
• Review the current staffing arrangements to ensure all dental care professionals are adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting.
• 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 giving due regard to the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER) 2000.
• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental records giving due regard to guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.
• Review its audit protocols to ensure radiography audits are undertaken at regular intervals and where applicable learning points are documented  and shared with all relevant staff.

People told us that they were made aware of the treatment options available to them including the cost of treatment and alternatives. We were told “they explain everything and give the alternatives and run through the pricing structure” and “they tell me before what needs doing and if I need more than one treatment.”

People using the service told us they felt safe in the hands of their dentist. One person explained that they were a nervous person but felt confident and described the dentist as “fantastic”. People told us they felt confident that the dentists knew what they were doing.

The practice’s complaints procedure was clearly on display and people were encouraged to voice any concerns in the first instance with practice staff. One of the people spoken with commented that they had never needed to make a complaint but would feel able to raise any complaints directly with their dentist.

People commented very positively on the care they received from their dentists. Comments included “they’re unbelievable, the best” and “a top rated service” and “I rate the service as excellent”. People commented that the dentists took great pride in their work and were up-to-date in their practice and the equipment that they used.

People using the service commented that they felt that the cleanliness of the practice was good. All areas of the practice were clean and hygienic during our visit.