We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 01 March 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

Belmont Park Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Lewisham and provides predominantly NHS dental services. The demographics of the practice were mixed, serving patients from a range of social and ethnic backgrounds.

The practice staffing consists of eight dentists, five dental nurses, two trainee dental nurses, three hygienists, one practice manager and three receptionists.

The practice is open from 8.00am to 8.00pm on Monday and Tuesdays; 8.00am to 6.00pm Wednesday and Thursdays; 8.00.am to 5.00pm Fridays and 9.00am to 4.00pm onStaurdays. The practice is located on the ground floor of the building and facilities include six consultation rooms, a reception area, patient waiting room, decontamination room, staff room and administration office. The premises were wheelchair accessible including a wheelchair accessible toilet for patients.

The principal dentist is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

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

We received three completed Care Quality Commission comment cards. Patient feedback was very positive about the service. Patients told us that staff were professional and caring and treated them with respect. They commented that the premises was always clean and tidy and they described the service as very good and providing an excellent standard of care.

Our key findings were:

• Appropriate systems were in place to safeguard patients from abuse
• The provider had emergency medicines and equipment such as oxygen and an automated external defibrillator (AED) in line with national guidance.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and most equipment was well maintained except for the servicing of the pressure vessel.
• All clinical staff were up to date with their continuing professional development.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance.
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice; and the practice had a structured plan in place to audit quality and safety which included the mandatory audits for infection control and radiography.